A Sunday night crash in Hawthorne turned into a brief police pursuit and an arrest, after a driver allegedly tried to bolt from an earlier collision, authorities said.
According to CBS Los Angeles, Hawthorne police were called to a collision near El Segundo Boulevard and Isis Avenue at about 8:30 p.m. While officers waited for Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies to arrive, one of the drivers took off. Officers pursued the fleeing vehicle for only a few minutes before the driver, described by police as a female suspect, crashed near Aviation Boulevard and Imperial Highway. An ambulance was called, but she refused to be taken to a hospital and was taken into custody, the outlet reported.
Short pursuits can turn ugly fast on crowded L.A.-area streets. The Los Angeles Times documented a 2025 pursuit near LAX that ended in a deadly crash, a reminder of how quickly public safety is on the line once a chase spills onto surface roads.
Crash scene and response
Station aerial footage showed a single sedan at the scene alongside a downed traffic signal and several patrol vehicles, according to CBS Los Angeles's SkyCal coverage. Officers blocked off parts of the intersection while investigators worked the scene. Authorities had not released the suspect's name as of late Sunday.
What the law says
Under California law (see California Legislative Information section 20001 and California Legislative Information section 20002), leaving the scene of an accident that results in injury can be charged as a felony, while crashes that cause only property damage are treated as misdemeanors. Penalties vary by circumstance and can include fines, jail time, or state prison, depending on injuries and any sentencing enhancements.
Hawthorne police said deputies and officers remained at the scene late Sunday and that investigators were still processing the area. This story will be updated if authorities release more information about the crash or any formal charges.
