Chase suspect in custody following PIT maneuver, crash in Palmdale
PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- A reckless driver was taken into custody after leading Los Angeles police and California Highway Patrol officers on a dangerous high-speed chase that ended following a PIT maneuver, crash and standoff in Palmdale Monday.
Sean Christopher Druschel, 33, of Palmdale, was arrested and booked on felony evasion charges.
The pursuit began at about 5:07 p.m. after LAPD officers spotted Druschel driving recklessly near Saticoy Street and Topanga Canyon in Northridge.
He refused to stop and led officers on a chase further through the San Fernando Valley.
At times, Druschel, who was traveling in a Ford F-150 with black paper plates, reached speeds close to 120 mph, weaving in and out of the center divider and carpool lanes on various freeways. He sped through intersections, drove into oncoming traffic, and at one point nearly hit a pedestrian in the Topanga area.
"The pedestrian was able to evade or take evasive action and dodge the vehicle as they crossed paths," said CHP officer Gil Hernandez.
The pickup truck was involved in two minor crashes during the course of the chase -- one at Saticoy Street and De Soto Avenue in Canoga Park and another at Shoshone Avenue and Rinaldi Street in Granada Hills.
Druschel made his way from the 118 Freeway to the northbound 5 Freeway. CHP officers took over the chase after the pickup truck began heading north on the 14 Freeway toward Santa Clarita.
VIDEO: Chase suspect crashes into CHP SUV, passenger flees
Druschel exited the 14 Freeway on Avenue N in Palmdale. The truck then spun out while Druschel made a left turn at a high rate of speed near 50th Street West and Avenue N. That's when it appears a CHP Ford Explorer attempted to perform a PIT maneuver but was unsuccessful. The officer was not injured, but his SUV was damaged during the attempt.
Druschel then drove into a residential area near a gated community where a female passenger, later identified as his girlfriend, jumped out of the vehicle and bailed on foot near Cinnabar Avenue, east of 50th Street West.
Shortly after, a CHP officer performed a PIT maneuver near 25th Street West and Rancho Vista Boulevard. The suspect lost control of his Ford F-150 and crashed head-on into a Honda Accord.
The passenger and driver of the Honda Accord were able to run to safety, Hernandez said.
Druschel refused to exit the pickup truck. At one point, officers noticed heavy smoke coming from the cab. Investigators say the suspect was smoking an undisclosed substance from a pipe.
Druschel exited the pickup truck following a 30-minute standoff and was taken into custody around 7 p.m. A K9 then cleared the vehicle.
His girlfriend was briefly detained. Investigators say she will not be facing any charges and is considered a witness.
Druschel was transported by ambulance to Antelope Valley Medical Center, according to L.A County fire officials. He was booked at the Sheriff's Lancaster Station for evading arrest, among other charges, following his release. He is being held in lieu of $100,000.
CORRECTION: LAPD initially reported that the suspect struck a pedestrian, but Hernandez said the pedestrian was able to take evasive action and dodge the pickup truck.
PHOTOS: Reckless driver leads police, CHP on wild hours-long chase
