Stolen Car Crashes In LA, Leaving Two People in Critical Condition
LOS ANGELES (March 8, 2023) – Six people were hospitalized early Tuesday in the Harvard Heights area of Los Angeles after a stolen car taken in an armed robbery crashed into two other vehicles at the end of a high-speed police pursuit. According to NBC News, at least one suspect was taken into custody in connection with the crash that left two people in critical condition.
Authorities reported to news outlets that the crash occurred around 12:45 a.m. on Tuesday in the 2100 block of West Washington Boulevard. A vehicle allegedly stolen in an armed robbery, with four people inside, attempted to flee from the LAPD, leading to a chase. During the chase, the driver crashed into two other vehicles before fleeing on foot but was later apprehended by police.
Carjacking Ends in Multi-Vehicle Crash
The gray Honda Accord was reportedly carjacked around the 600 block of East 105th Street in southeast L.A. at around 8 p.m. on Monday after a victim was allegedly pistol-whipped. The vehicle was spotted in downtown L.A. shortly after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, and officers attempted to pull the car over. When the driver failed to stop, a short police pursuit ensued.
CBS News reports that LAPD officers reportedly pulled back on the pursuit and were in tracking mode before the Accord crashed into two other vehicles at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Western Avenue in Harvard Heights, according to an LAPD spokesperson.
Four suspects in the stolen vehicle were taken into custody after fleeing the vehicle on foot. All six people in the other two cars involved in the crash were taken to the hospital, with a man and woman, both 20, listed in critical condition.
A 15-year-old boy, a 14-year-old girl, a 14-year-old boy, and a 22-year-old woman were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
LAPD Sgt. Rick Hernandez told CBS News that officers would usually continue to pursue a vehicle stolen in an armed robbery since they are involved in victimizing people and committing robberies. High-speed pursuits involving the LAPD have been criticized for the risks they pose to police officers and civilians.
The department implemented a new policy in 2015 that prohibits officers from chasing suspects in most cases. Pursuits are allowed only when there is reasonable cause to believe the suspect threatens public safety and when the dangers of the pursuit do not outweigh the need to apprehend the suspect.
