Street Racer Pursuit Crash Leaves Multiple Innocent Victims Injured

West Whittier, Los Angeles County, CA: At least two people were transported to area hospitals with multiple others injured, two people were wrongfully detained at gunpoint, and at least three teens were in custody after a high-speed pursuit that started from a street takeover in Compton Friday night.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Compton Station deputies attempted to stop a Dodge Charger at Central Avenue and El Segundo Boulevard around 10:45 p.m. when it failed to yield to deputies. An LASD airship went overhead almost immediately and chased the vehicle on surface streets at speeds of 60 mph.

The vehicle merged onto the 105 eastbound, where speeds increased to 130 mph. The pursuit was cancelled by LASD ground units, however, California Highway Patrol units were summoned to takeover the pursuit while the helicopter continued to track the reckless street racer.

The suspect vehicle lost control and slammed into at least three other innocent vehicles at the I-605 and Slauson Avenue.

At least two juveniles and one adult ran from the Charger, off the freeway and into a Denny’s restaurant on Pioneer Boulevard and Slauson Avenue in West Whittier.

LASD deputies from Pico Rivera arrived to assist and began holding two unrelated people at gunpoint inside a black Mercedes Benz. Both subjects, who appeared to be a couple who were at the wrong place at the wrong time, were extracted from the vehicle at gunpoint and detained by deputies, while the street racer suspects continued to hide inside the restaurant.

Deputies eventually entered Denny’s and took all the correct suspects into custody.

Paramedics from the Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived to assess at least four innocent bystanders who were involved in the original crash on the freeway. Two victims, one male with head pain, and another male with unknown injuries, were transported to area hospitals with minor/moderate injuries. A third with arm pain along with a fourth individual were assessed, however, declined medical transport.

At one point, the wrongfully detained couple were seen free of handcuffs sitting on a curb appearing emotionally distraught before eventually being released back to their car.

In all, the Charger crashed into one gasoline tanker-trailer, one Honda CRV, one hatchback sedan, and one other small sedan.

LASD Compton deputies have taken custody of the street racer suspects, while officers with the CHP Santa Fe Springs Office handled the crash investigation.

Nathan Holguin, Video Journalist / KNN