After a police chase ended in a crash in the San Fernando Valley on Saturday, one woman died and three others were hurt, including the offender.
Around 1:32 p.m., the chaos started in the Winnetka neighborhood.
Police say the suspect, who they think is in his 40s, saw police following him because they thought he might have stolen a Mercedes SUV.
While a white Tesla was crossing the street going west, the suspect quickly drove off south on Mason Avenue and into the corner of Saticoy Street.
“The light had turned green for traffic going east and west on Saticoy,” said Don Graham, Deputy Chief of the LAPD. “While going south at a high speed, the suspect vehicle crashed into the Tesla. The Tesla then crashed into the other two vehicles.”
After the stolen SUV flipped over, the suspect was arrested right away, and he was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to officials.
The Los Angeles Fire Department says that the drivers of a black car and a silver car were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The woman who was driving the white Tesla died at the scene.
Maria Toribio, who lives close, said, “It was bad.” “That’s how I felt at first; my stomach started to turn.”
People in Toribio’s neighborhood who heard the crash told Angeli Kakade of KTLA that they’ll never forget the sound.
At this point in time, Graham said, “This is the kind of tragedy that will stay with this family forever.” “It’s impossible to think about.”
The suspect is now being charged with vehicular murder.
With the terrible accident on Saturday still fresh in her mind, Toribio said she hopes that city officials will finally fix the many problems that have been plaguing the corner where the fatal accident happened.
