Stephen Aguirre woke up on the last day of his life with golf on his mind. He'd bought a club the day before for $20 at a thrift store though it might have cost $200 anywhere else. On a Sunday that marked the start of daylight-saving time and gave him an extra hour of light, he wanted to try out his prize.
The 39-year-old home renovator thought about taking his year-old son with him but decided against it. He kissed his wife, Kristlle, goodbye and aimed his Ford Escort toward a driving range about 10 minutes from his Camarillo townhouse. He never got there.
A man in a black Nissan, chased by a sheriff's squad car for reckless driving and refusing to pull over, barreled through a red light and into the Escort. Aguirre died instantly, his body crumpled on top of his golf clubs.
Aguirre was the fifth person killed in a police chase in Ventura County in the past four years and the second victim who wasn't involved in a pursuit but was guilty only of being on the wrong road at the wrong time.
After Aguirre's death on April 3, Ventura County Sheriff's Department officials said they would review their policies. Those policies urge officers and supervisors to weigh the risks of chasing motorists who won't stop but do not ban pursuits triggered by traffic infractions or misdemeanors.
About the same time Aguirre was thinking about his golf swing, Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy Bryan Sliva was on patrol in Camarillo, tracking a car driven erratically by David Inder Bagai, according to an accident report. At an intersection sandwiched by modest homes, Bagai allegedly stomped on his accelerator and swerved into another lane.
Sliva hit his siren and lights. He reported that when Bagai didn't pull over, he followed. Chase speeds reached 80 mph. In less than a minute, Bagai reached the intersection of Ponderosa and Carmen drives, where Stephen Aguirre was following a green light on his way to the freeway.
Aguirre, who was part Choinumni Indian, was laid to rest in an American Indian burial ground near Fresno. Bagai, 31, of Camarillo, was charged with vehicular manslaughter but deemed unable to stand trial because of mental health issues. He was recently released from a state hospital, placed in county jail and found competent for trial. Prosecutors say that, if convicted, he could face a maximum of seven years and three months in prison. Bagai has pleaded not guilty.
The 39-year-old home renovator thought about taking his year-old son with him but decided against it. He kissed his wife, Kristlle, goodbye and aimed his Ford Escort toward a driving range about 10 minutes from his Camarillo townhouse. He never got there.
A man in a black Nissan, chased by a sheriff's squad car for reckless driving and refusing to pull over, barreled through a red light and into the Escort. Aguirre died instantly, his body crumpled on top of his golf clubs.
Aguirre was the fifth person killed in a police chase in Ventura County in the past four years and the second victim who wasn't involved in a pursuit but was guilty only of being on the wrong road at the wrong time.
After Aguirre's death on April 3, Ventura County Sheriff's Department officials said they would review their policies. Those policies urge officers and supervisors to weigh the risks of chasing motorists who won't stop but do not ban pursuits triggered by traffic infractions or misdemeanors.
About the same time Aguirre was thinking about his golf swing, Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy Bryan Sliva was on patrol in Camarillo, tracking a car driven erratically by David Inder Bagai, according to an accident report. At an intersection sandwiched by modest homes, Bagai allegedly stomped on his accelerator and swerved into another lane.
Sliva hit his siren and lights. He reported that when Bagai didn't pull over, he followed. Chase speeds reached 80 mph. In less than a minute, Bagai reached the intersection of Ponderosa and Carmen drives, where Stephen Aguirre was following a green light on his way to the freeway.
Aguirre, who was part Choinumni Indian, was laid to rest in an American Indian burial ground near Fresno. Bagai, 31, of Camarillo, was charged with vehicular manslaughter but deemed unable to stand trial because of mental health issues. He was recently released from a state hospital, placed in county jail and found competent for trial. Prosecutors say that, if convicted, he could face a maximum of seven years and three months in prison. Bagai has pleaded not guilty.
Stephen Aguirre woke up on the last day of his life with golf on his mind. He'd bought a club the day before for $20 at a thrift store though it might have cost $200 anywhere else. On a Sunday that marked the start of daylight-saving time and gave him an extra hour of light, he wanted to try out his prize.
The 39-year-old home renovator thought about taking his year-old son with him but decided against it. He kissed his wife, Kristlle, goodbye and aimed his Ford Escort toward a driving range about 10 minutes from his Camarillo townhouse. He never got there.
A man in a black Nissan, chased by a sheriff's squad car for reckless driving and refusing to pull over, barreled through a red light and into the Escort. Aguirre died instantly, his body crumpled on top of his golf clubs.
Aguirre was the fifth person killed in a police chase in Ventura County in the past four years and the second victim who wasn't involved in a pursuit but was guilty only of being on the wrong road at the wrong time.
After Aguirre's death on April 3, Ventura County Sheriff's Department officials said they would review their policies. Those policies urge officers and supervisors to weigh the risks of chasing motorists who won't stop but do not ban pursuits triggered by traffic infractions or misdemeanors.
About the same time Aguirre was thinking about his golf swing, Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy Bryan Sliva was on patrol in Camarillo, tracking a car driven erratically by David Inder Bagai, according to an accident report. At an intersection sandwiched by modest homes, Bagai allegedly stomped on his accelerator and swerved into another lane.
Sliva hit his siren and lights. He reported that when Bagai didn't pull over, he followed. Chase speeds reached 80 mph. In less than a minute, Bagai reached the intersection of Ponderosa and Carmen drives, where Stephen Aguirre was following a green light on his way to the freeway.
Aguirre, who was part Choinumni Indian, was laid to rest in an American Indian burial ground near Fresno. Bagai, 31, of Camarillo, was charged with vehicular manslaughter but deemed unable to stand trial because of mental health issues. He was recently released from a state hospital, placed in county jail and found competent for trial. Prosecutors say that, if convicted, he could face a maximum of seven years and three months in prison. Bagai has pleaded not guilty.
The 39-year-old home renovator thought about taking his year-old son with him but decided against it. He kissed his wife, Kristlle, goodbye and aimed his Ford Escort toward a driving range about 10 minutes from his Camarillo townhouse. He never got there.
A man in a black Nissan, chased by a sheriff's squad car for reckless driving and refusing to pull over, barreled through a red light and into the Escort. Aguirre died instantly, his body crumpled on top of his golf clubs.
Aguirre was the fifth person killed in a police chase in Ventura County in the past four years and the second victim who wasn't involved in a pursuit but was guilty only of being on the wrong road at the wrong time.
After Aguirre's death on April 3, Ventura County Sheriff's Department officials said they would review their policies. Those policies urge officers and supervisors to weigh the risks of chasing motorists who won't stop but do not ban pursuits triggered by traffic infractions or misdemeanors.
About the same time Aguirre was thinking about his golf swing, Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy Bryan Sliva was on patrol in Camarillo, tracking a car driven erratically by David Inder Bagai, according to an accident report. At an intersection sandwiched by modest homes, Bagai allegedly stomped on his accelerator and swerved into another lane.
Sliva hit his siren and lights. He reported that when Bagai didn't pull over, he followed. Chase speeds reached 80 mph. In less than a minute, Bagai reached the intersection of Ponderosa and Carmen drives, where Stephen Aguirre was following a green light on his way to the freeway.
Aguirre, who was part Choinumni Indian, was laid to rest in an American Indian burial ground near Fresno. Bagai, 31, of Camarillo, was charged with vehicular manslaughter but deemed unable to stand trial because of mental health issues. He was recently released from a state hospital, placed in county jail and found competent for trial. Prosecutors say that, if convicted, he could face a maximum of seven years and three months in prison. Bagai has pleaded not guilty.
Inscription
Beloved Husband, Father, Son & Brother! Some men are indispensable but others are ireplacable.
01/06/1966-04/03/2005
John 3:16
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
