Fatal Traffic Collision Following Pursuit of Stolen Vehicle

July 9, 2025

Glendale, CA - Last night, Glendale Police Officers were involved in a vehicle pursuit, of a wanted parolee, which ultimately resulted in a fatal traffic collision.

On July 8, 2025, at approximately 11:15 p.m., Glendale Police Department officers attempted to stop a stolen vehicle in the area of Acacia Avenue and Chevy Chase Drive in the City of Glendale. The vehicle failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit lasted less than two minutes and covered approximately one mile. During that time, the suspect disregarded multiple traffic signals as it traveled eastbound on Acacia Avenue and northbound on Verdugo Road.

The pursuit concluded when the suspect vehicle was involved in a traffic collision at the intersection of Verdugo Road and Wilson Avenue. The impact caused the vehicle to strike a utility pole. The driver, who was the sole occupant, was found unresponsive. Officers immediately rendered medical aid and began CPR until relieved by Glendale Fire Department personnel.

The driver was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. No other individuals were injured in the collision.

The deceased was identified as Shawn Justin Towne, a 51-year-old white male and a resident of Los Angeles. Towne was wanted on a warrant and was on active parole.

This incident remains under investigation by the Glendale Police Department. For more information, please contact the Public Information Officer, Sgt. Barajas at [email protected].

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About the Glendale Police Department

Established in 1906, the Glendale Police Department is a full-service police department with approximately 450 total staff members, including nearly 300 sworn police officers. The Glendale Police Department is committed to providing the highest level of public safety services through proactive policing, professionalism, and community partnerships.

Assignments include Patrol, Traffic, Investigations Bureau, Narcotics, SWAT, Motorcycles, K-9, School Resource Officer, Custody, Dispatch, and Air Support. Police Department responsibilities include 9-1-1 emergency response, proactive law enforcement, traffic enforcement and collision investigation, crime investigation and case preparation, community and school policing, and administration of the city jail facility.

For more information, visit GlendaleCA.gov/Police or follow @GlendalePoliceDept on Instagram and @GlendalePD on Facebook and X.