40 p.m., Southwest Division patrol officers were driving westbound Martin Luther King Boulevard when they observed a vehicle (2017 Hyundai Tucson) speeding at a high rate of speed. Officers conducted a U-turn to investigate whether the vehicle was stolen and to conduct a traffic stop. At the intersection of MLK and Western Avenue, the officers were behind the vehicle and stopped at red light. At which time, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and ran the red light. The officers briefly turned on their emergency equipment but deactivated the emergency equipment and did not pursue the vehicle.
The vehicle continued to travel at a high rate of speed and failed to stop for red lights at Budlong Avenue and then Vermont Avenue. After running the red light at Vermont Avenue, the vehicle crashed into several other vehicles and caused a chain reaction of other crashed.
The investigation revealed that the vehicle was recently stolen and contained numerous juvenile occupants. The suspect was arrested for Section 10851(a) “Driving without the Owners Consent” of the California Vehicle Code.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and transported the injured parties to local hospital for medical treatment.
The Multi-Disciplinary Collision Investigation Team (MCIT) responded to the scene to investigate the collision. Detectives canvassed the scene for surveillance cameras.