Dog walker and 5 dogs killed in crash mourned in California

LONG BEACH, Calif. – A crowd of mourners including pet owners have gathered at a Southern California intersection to mourn a popular dog walker killed along with five of six dogs she was transporting when a motorist fleeing police crashed into her car.

Dog owners and friends of 41-year-old Jessica Bingaman held candles and sang at a Wednesday night vigil in Long Beach, south of Los Angeles.

Police say officers were pursuing a stolen van Tuesday morning when it hit Bingaman’s vehicle.

Bingaman was pronounced dead at a hospital. Four dogs died at the scene and a fifth died at a pet hospital.

A police statement says the sixth dog was released from that hospital to its owners.

Police arrested a 43-year-old man for investigation of vehicular manslaughter and other allegations.