1 dead, 1 hospitalized after police chase ends in violent crash in South LA

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A woman was killed and man was hospitalized after a violent crash that happened in South Los Angeles during a chase involving two law enforcement agencies, officials said.

One vehicle slammed into an electrical pole and caught on fire near the intersection of Century Boulevard in Normandie Avenue about 10:30 a.m.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, deputies were assisting the Gardena Police Department in the pursuit.

Witnesses said the car was speeding down Normandie Avenue and crossed Century Boulevard just before it hit another vehicle.

"When it hit the pole, the car split in half and it immediately caught on fire," said one man who saw the crash.

The chase started in Gardena when officers checked the plate of the suspect vehicle, and discovered it was stolen.

"We tried to stop the car. The car did not initially comply. At some point, the vehicle that the officer was chasing rammed the officer's vehicle, so it became an assault on an officer with the vehicle," said Gardena police Lt. Steve Prendergast.

As soon as the vehicle hit the pole and caught on fire, police rushed to help the occupants inside.

"In less than six second the car caught on fire," said witness Sergio Alvarado. "I'd like to say that one of the police officers is a hero. He didn't hesitate, regardless of what they were doing, to pull one male out of the car when the car was literally on fire."

The man was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to police. Prendergast said the fire fully engulfed the vehicle before officers were able to save a female passenger.

Investigators said the suspect will likely face several charges, including assault on a police officer and homicide for allegedly causing the death of the woman who was with him.