A suspected hit-and-run driver led officers on a high-speed chase through South Los Angeles on Thursday evening that ended with a dramatic takedown in Watts. An LAPD unit boxed in the vehicle and forced it into an apartment-complex parking lot near Compton Avenue and East 112th Street, where the driver bailed out as the car kept rolling and crashed into a dumpster. The suspect sprinted into the complex before officers caught up and made the arrest, while nearby intersections backed up during the pursuit.
Chase details and arrest
The Los Angeles Police Department said the motorist tore through city streets, blowing through busy intersections and barely missing other cars before officers moved in to shut it down, according to CBS Los Angeles. Police units reportedly blocked the roadway and forced the driver to cut into the apartment parking lot, where the suspect jumped out while the vehicle was still moving and left it to slam into a dumpster. Officers chased the driver on foot into the complex and took the person into custody, per the outlet.
Potential charges under state law
If investigators conclude the motorist fled the scene of a crash that injured someone, that could trigger felony hit-and-run charges under California Vehicle Code §20001, which requires drivers involved in injury collisions to stop, identify themselves, and render reasonable aid. Reckless evading, meaning fleeing or trying to escape a pursuing peace officer while driving with a “willful or wanton disregard” for public safety, falls under Vehicle Code §2800.2 and can bring jail or prison time along with fines. The applicable statutes and penalties, including Vehicle Code §20001 and Vehicle Code §2800.2, are outlined on the California Legislative Information site.
What happens next
Authorities took the suspect into custody after the brief foot chase, but the LAPD did not immediately release the individual’s name or list any formal charges, according to CBS Los Angeles. Detectives were gathering evidence and reviewing any available video and witness statements as the investigation continued. Police had not provided additional details about possible injuries or vehicle damage at the time of the report.
