2 homeless men killed by SUV driven by 13-year-old girl, police say

ESCONDIDO, Calif. (TCD) --

A 13-year-old girl from Vista, California, was accused of killing two homeless men after she drove off in her mom's SUV and lost control of the vehicle.

Just before midnight on Friday, Feb. 12, Escondido Police officers conducted a traffic stop of a white Ford Explorer near Mission Ave. and Gamble St. The Escondido Police Department said the vehicle drove away as an officer approached on foot. The vehicle attempted to turn left onto Ash St., but spun out of control and crashed into a planter.

Police said two men sleeping in bushes near the planter were struck by the vehicle. One man died at the scene, and the other was hospitalized, where he died. The two men were identified as 33-year-old Mateo Salvador and 51-year-old Sofio Sotelo Torres.

Police said that the 13-year-old driver took the car without her mom's knowledge and she had a teenage friend in the passenger seat. Both girls were arrested and later released to their parents. Escondido Police Lieutenant Kevin Toth said the girl "took her mom's car without her knowing."

Escondido Police said investigators are working with the Juvenile Branch of the District Attorney’s office on potential criminal charges.

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