Stolen car suspect struck by car, killed while trying to flee police on 101 Fwy in Boyle Heights

BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A stolen vehicle suspect died early Wednesday morning after being hit by a car on the northbound 101 Freeway while trying to flee from officers in Boyle Heights.

Authorities said the incident happened around 3 a.m. out of East Los Angeles. California Highway Patrol officers noticed a person driving erratically near Olympic Boulevard and Downey Road. Officers found out the car was stolen after running the license plate.

The suspect then drove away from authorities, leading them on a short chase through the northbound 5 Freeway onto the northbound 101 Freeway. Authorities said the suspect exited 4th Street, ran a red light and crashed into a tree and fence.

The stolen vehicle suspect then got out of the Toyota Rav 4, headed down an embankment and attempted to run across the lanes of the 101 Freeway when he was hit by a sedan. Authorities said the suspect died at the scene.

Authorities said meth was found on the suspect and a pipe, multiple credit cards and cell phones were found inside the stolen vehicle.

CHP officers shut down all lanes of the northbound 101 Freeway and the westbound State Route 60 transition onto the northbound 101 during the investigation. The closure was lifted around 6 a.m., right before the morning commute.

Authorities recommend drivers use downtown Los Angeles surface streets near Olympic Boulevard and Cesar Chavez Avenue to avoid the traffic backup.

No information on the identity of the driver was released. The investigation was ongoing.