COMMERCE — An alleged wrong-way driver sparked a brief pursuit with the California Highway Patrol in Commerce, ending in a two-vehicle crash that killed a bystander and critically injured three others, including a pedestrian who had their legs severed, authorities said Sunday.
Officers tried to pull over a Chrysler that was reportedly stolen shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday in the area of Eastern and Florence avenues, according to the CHP.
The pursuit ended at 11:14 p.m. and firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the crash scene at Eastern Avenue and Randolph Street, east of the 710 Freeway, a couple minutes later, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
During the pursuit, the Chrysler driver lost control, the vehicle skidded and struck another vehicle before hitting two pedestrians.
One person seated at a bench was killed from the impact of the crash and a pedestrian walking inside a crosswalk had their legs severed, according to a watch commander as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s East Los Angeles station.
A 33-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. Two people inside the suspect’s vehicle suffered “extensive injuries” and were rushed to a hospital. The driver was treated at a hospital before being taken to a county jail, the watch commander said. The female driver and only occupant of the other vehicle was also treated at a hospital. The drivers and passengers were reported to be stable.
The driver of the suspect vehicle was arrested, but the Sheriff’s Department did not specify on what counts.
“We’re still working backwards to figure out what has happened,” the watch commander said.
SCNG Staff Writer Andrea Klick contributed to this story.