SAN MARCOS ---- One of two car burglary suspects died Thursday night after the car they were in went off Highway 78 and struck a tree after a short pursuit by sheriff's deputies, authorities said.

Guillermo Ceja, 23, of Escondido, was pronounced dead at Palomar Medical Center shortly after 11:30 p.m., San Marcos Sheriff's Sgt. Charles Cinnamo said. Ceja and Gumersindo Gutierrez, 19, both were ejected from the car they were in after it careened off the freeway and hit the tree, not far from Nordahl Road, he said.

A deputy had tried to pull over the suspect's car about 8 p.m. near Nordahl and 78. The deputy had noticed that it matched the description of a car that was reported to be involved in a series of vehicle break-ins at the Costco parking lot in San Marcos, officials said.

The deputy pursued the car onto eastbound Highway 78 before Gutierrez, who was driving, apparently lost control of the car, authorities said..

Deputies later learned the wrecked vehicle was stolen. Evidence, including a stolen car stereo, was recovered at the crash scene, Cinnamo said.

A loaded handgun was found concealed on Ceja's person, the sergeant added.

Gutierrez was also taken to the Escondido hospital, though his injuries were not specified. He was later booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence resulting in death, vehicle burglary, possession of stolen property, felony evading, and conspiracy, officials said.

The crash blocked the highway's three eastbound lanes for about two hours, backing up traffic for several miles, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Call staff writer Chris Nichols at 760-740-5426.