An accident unfolded early Friday morning near Los Angeles International Airport following a high-speed chase involving a suspected DUI driver. KTLA reports that the chase ended in a collision at approximately 1:30 a.m. at the intersection of South Sepulveda and West Century boulevards, resulting in one fatality and additional injuries.
The deceased, who has yet to be identified, was a passenger in the suspect's vehicle, according to the Los Angeles Police Department officer Nelson's statement obtained by KTLA. Another passenger, from the other car involved in the hit they were, was transported to a local hospital with undisclosed injuries. The suspect attempted to flee the scene on foot but was captured and subsequently hospitalized with minor injuries.
ABC7 documents that the police had abandoned the pursuit of the suspect's vehicle before the crash for unspecified reasons. But the driver continued, which shortly thereafter culminated in the fatal encounter. The identity of the suspect has been withheld pending further investigation.
The closure of Century Boulevard caused significant traffic disruption near the airport. According to a CBS Los Angeles article, both directions of Sepulveda Boulevard between Century Boulevard and 98th Street were sealed off to accommodate ongoing police activity.
The chase originally began in South LA, initiated by patrol officers who noted erratic driving behavior, as per FOX LA. The suspect's refusal to stop led to the pursuit that tragically ended near an LAX entrance. Authorities disclosed that multiple individuals exited the suspect's vehicle and fled post-crash. Details surrounding the incident continue to develop, with officials yet to disclose when normalcy would return to the LAX entrance at Sepulveda and Century boulevards.
