BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — An 18-year-old man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly killing another driver in a collision while fleeing from police with a 16-year-old girl, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.

At around 8:07 a.m., BPD assisted the Kern County Auto Theft Task Force for a traffic stop involving a felony warrant suspect believed to be driving a stolen vehicle, officials said.

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Ramiro Gutierrez-Ramos, 18, was reportedly driving a GMC truck with swapped license plates. He had an outstanding felony warrant for evading law enforcement, BPD said.

A 16-year-old girl was a passenger in the vehicle. She said she had “a relatively new friendship” with Gutierrez-Ramos, according to officials.

Officers tried conducting a traffic stop in the 200 block of Panama Lane, but Gutierrez-Ramos drove off and began a chase, according to police. He reportedly reached up to 98 mph during the chase.

Gutierrez-Ramos kept driving eastbound on East Panama Lane and entered the intersection at Tejon Highway without stopping at a stop sign. He collided at a high speed with a vehicle traveling northbound through the intersection, BPD said.

A woman who was driving the vehicle involved in the collision suffered major injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gutierrez-Ramos and the girl tried fleeing on foot but were apprehended shortly after, according to BPD.

He was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony evading, possession of a stolen vehicle, child endangerment and offenses related to the outstanding warrant. He will be booked into the Kern County Jail, police said.

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The girl was not arrested on charges, according to BPD.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the collision and BPD is conducting the criminal investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the police department at 661-327-7111.

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