FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — New details are emerging after a deadly pursuit in Madera County last month that left four people dead and another critically injured.

The chase began when deputies with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle suspected of being involved in a series of car break-ins. Authorities say the driver refused to pull over, leading deputies on a high-speed pursuit that ended in a crash along Highway 99.

Four people were killed.

Now, an attorney representing three of the victims’ families says the pursuit should have never happened.

“If the police did not cause this high-speed pursuit, these kids would still be alive,” said attorney Nathan Miller.

The families of three teenage passengers — identified as Stephen Rodriguez, Benito Mendoza, and Freddie Garcia — say the victims were not involved in any criminal activity. Miller says the teens, who ranged in age from 13 to 16, believed they were simply going on a late-night ride.

According to Miller, the only survivor of the crash told him the teens did not know about any alleged crimes and even begged to get out of the car once the chase began.

“They thought they were going on a late-night joyride, and it turned into the worst thing that ever happened,” Miller said. “They were actually begging to get out of the car when the police chase was occurring.”

Authorities have said the 25-year-old driver was allegedly involved in criminal misconduct earlier in the night. However, Miller disputes any claims that the teenage passengers were connected to those activities.

“The allegations that the children were somehow engaging in criminal misconduct, that’s absolutely false,” he said.

Miller also argues deputies already had enough information about the vehicle and did not need to initiate a pursuit at high speeds.

“There was no basis for law enforcement to engage in a high-speed pursuit at speeds of over 100 miles an hour, not knowing whether there were other victims in the car,” he said.

The families are now seeking accountability as they grieve the loss of their loved ones.

“I’m very confident they’re going to receive justice,” Miller added. “It’s really important for me to clear the names of these kids.”