1 killed, 4 injured during LAPD chase in El Sereno

One person was killed and four others injured during a police chase in El Sereno on Saturday afternoon when a motorist fleeing Los Angeles police officers crashed into another vehicle, police said.

The crash occurred shortly before 1 p.m. when officers with the Hollenbeck division were trying to pull over the driver of a Chevy Suburban on suspicion of driving recklessly, said LAPD Officer Rosario Herrera.

She said the motorist led officers on a short chase before crashing into another vehicle at Poplar Boulevard and Huntington Drive.

“It was a short pursuit,” Herrera said, “It lasted a minute long, if that.”

Herrera said the driver fled on foot following the accident but was taken into custody after officers searched the area. Herrera did not know how many vehicles were involved in the accident or how long it took officers to locate the suspect.

Gabriel Acosta, who owns Gabe’s Bike Shop near where the crash occurred, said he saw a white Chevy Suburban speed by his shop, followed by what he said were at least two police cars. Shortly after, he said he heard a “big bang before they crashed.”

Acosta said family members of the victims gathered outside his shop, crying. A section of Huntington Drive was closed off by police.

The name of the suspect, who police described as an adult male, was not immediately released by authorities. At least one person was declared dead at the scene, Herrera said. The victim’s identity was not released.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said four people were injured and taken to a hospital. One man was seriously injured, and two other men and a woman were in fair condition.

Herrera said the crash is under investigation.

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