By Associated Press - Thursday, June 29, 2017

PHOENIX (AP) - A 44-year-old woman is dead after being struck by a car in a chain-reaction collision triggered by five people fleeing from Phoenix police.

Authorities say the incident began with a purse theft around 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

The victim directed police to a park where three women who allegedly took the purse met up with two men.



The five people drove away as officers approached.

That led to an accident about a half-mile away when the suspects’ vehicle ran a red light and hit a SUV, which then struck the pedestrian who was standing in the median.

The woman died at a hospital. Her name hasn’t been released.

Police say the unidentified suspects are in custody and they include two girls ages 12 and 14.

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