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Hit-And-Run Driver Killed After Her SUV Slams Into Tree

WOODLAND (CBS13) - A high-speed chase suspect who crashed her SUV into a tree at a Woodland home has died.

Crashed Into Tree
Credit: Matt Casias

At around 4:30 p.m. Monday police reported the woman was involved in a traffic accident and fled the scene. Her SUV was spotted a short time later by the Woodland police chief, who started to follow it. He abandoned the chase though after the SUV accelerated to 90 mph and became too dangerous to pursue.

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A short time later, the SUV apparently lost control and left the road, turned sideways and hit a tree in the front yard of a home at 1617 College St. The driver, a female, became trapped inside the vehicle.

"When it hit you could kind of see it just wrap around, and then all this debris flying. It was just crazy
," said Matt Casias who witnessed the crash.

The SUV was wrapped partially around the tree with its tires hanging in mid-air.

"We heard this loud crash. We though the whole house was caving in," said Charlotte VanAtta. "We weren't sure exactly what was going on.

Charlotte and her husband were inside when the SUV came barreling onto their front law and nearly into their home.

"I've never seen anything like that. You could practically feel the impact on your chest from where we were at," said neighbor Mariah Cochran.

Police are not releasing the name of that driver tonight. They will only say she was a Woodland resident.

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