Previously Pursued Vehicle Crashes Killing Driver NRM25-03ne

May 12, 2025

Previously Pursued Vehicle Crashes Killing Driver

Westchester: The Los Angeles Police Department, South Traffic Division (STD) detectives and officers with the Multi-Disciplinary Collision Investigation Team (MCIT) are investigating the circumstances following a fatal crash that left a juvenile dead.

On March 28, 2025, around 1:30 a.m., a burgundy SUV with three occupants had been pursued by Southwest Division patrol officers for possible DUI. Due to the SUV’s high rate of speed, officers disengaged from pursuing the vehicle. Soon after, the vehicle traveling westbound Century Boulevard, ran the red light and crashed into a compact sedan which was traveling southbound Sepulveda Boulevard. The crash caused the SUV to lose control and collided into a pole causing fatal injuries to the juvenile driver.

Two other occupants, a 19-year-old man from Los Angeles, and a 22-year-old man from Hawthorne, ran from the scene but were apprehended moments later by Airport Police officers. The two men were transported by ambulance to a local hospital where they were treated for minor injuries. MCIT personnel completed the at-scene traffic crash investigation, and STD detectives interviewed the two men who cooperated with police.

The driver, a male juvenile, was pronounced decease by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics and removed from the vehicle by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s (ME) office. The decedent’s identity will be verified by the ME’s office who will notify the next-of-kin. The driver of the second vehicle sustained minor injuries and is recovering at a local hospital. STD detectives are urging anyone who witnessed the crash to come forward with any information regarding this incident.

Anyone with information about this crash is asked to contact South Traffic Division Detective Gerald Chavarria at 213-924-3621. During non-business hours, or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.