A suspected DUI driver led deputies on a wild, helicopter-tracked chase across the South Bay and into Inglewood on Tuesday night, ending when the air crew lost the car near Los Angeles International Airport. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies tailed the sedan through several cities with both ground units and an airship in the mix, but as of late Tuesday, authorities had not announced any arrests and said details were still thin while the search continued.
SkyFOX followed the pursuit from above as the driver, believed to be wanted for a possible DUI, weaved through Carson, Hawthorne and Inglewood before the helicopter lost sight of the sedan near LAX, according to FOX 11. The station reported that deputies were in pursuit on surface streets and noted officials had not confirmed whether the suspect was tied to any other crimes. Broadcast video shows multiple sheriff's vehicles chasing the car toward the airport moments before the chopper lost visual.
Jurisdiction Around LAX Can Get Messy
LAX and the roads around it sit in a complex patchwork of city, airport and county jurisdictions, so incidents near the airport often draw in more than one law enforcement agency. As outlined by Los Angeles World Airports, primary law enforcement on airport property falls to the LAWA Police Division and the LAPD LAX Detail, while other agencies can be brought in under unified command arrangements. That setup means county deputies can wind up in the mix when a pursuit crosses city limits or rolls into unincorporated pockets near the airport.
What the Driver Could Be Facing
If investigators ultimately determine the driver was impaired, prosecutors could seek DUI charges under Vehicle Code §23152, as outlined by the California Legislature. Reckless evasion of a peace officer can also be charged as a felony under Vehicle Code §2800.2, according to the California Legislature, which allows prison time and fines when a driver shows willful or wanton disregard for public safety. Taken together, those laws mean a suspect who flees from deputies while impaired could be staring down multiple serious state charges if caught.
FOX 11 reported that many basic details were still unknown, including a full vehicle description and whether anyone was injured. The broadcast shows deputies and an aerial unit tracking the sedan before the helicopter loses sight of it near the airport. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department lists newsroom contacts and non-emergency phone numbers on its website for people who may have tips or video. Investigators say the search for the driver is ongoing and are asking anyone with relevant information to reach out to local law enforcement.
