A police pursuit through the west San Fernando Valley ended at a street vendor's stand in Encino on Tuesday morning, tying up traffic in the Sepulveda Basin but leaving everyone physically unharmed, according to police.
The crash happened around 9 a.m. at Woodley Avenue and Burbank Boulevard in the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area. Officers said the driver ran from the vehicle after the wreck but was quickly taken into custody.
The chase had started only about five minutes earlier near Kittridge Street and White Oak Avenue and ended when the vehicle plowed into the vendor's stand. Officers say the driver, suspected of being impaired, bolted on foot after the crash but was detained a short time later, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Video from the scene quickly hit local feeds. CBS Los Angeles aired footage showing emergency personnel at Burbank and Woodley as crews worked to clear the area. The station reported that traffic in the basin came to a halt while officers secured the scene.
Vendor Stand Struck In Sepulveda Basin
Authorities said there were no injuries, though it was not immediately clear whether the vendor or any customers were at the stand at the moment of impact. Drivers on Burbank Boulevard saw delays while officers and park crews cleared debris and documented the crash scene, per CBS Los Angeles.
What Police Say And What Comes Next
As of late Tuesday morning, police had not announced specific charges. Investigators were still sorting out how the pursuit began and whether additional enforcement action would follow. The driver remained in custody, and officials had not released further details to the press.
The Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area is a busy hub for sports, dog walking and bike paths, and any incident that spills onto Burbank Boulevard can quickly ripple into the commute for nearby neighborhoods. This story will be updated as the LAPD or park officials provide more information.
