Chase suspect slams into center divider on 405 Freeway in Van Nuys while fleeing from CHP

KABC logo
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Chase suspect slams into median on 405 Freeway in Van Nuys
A speeding driver who was fleeing from the California Highway Patrol slammed into the center divider on the 405 Freeway in Van Nuys before being taken into custody.

VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A speeding driver who was fleeing from the California Highway Patrol on Wednesday morning slammed violently into the center divider on the 405 Freeway in Van Nuys before being taken into custody.

The suspect, in a white Lexus sedan with tinted windows, traveled southbound on the 14 Freeway with CHP units in pursuit before transitioning onto the 405. The Highway Patrol said at one point the car reached speeds of at least 120 mph.

Video from AIR7 HD shows the Lexus moving from the No. 1 lane to the No. 3 lane before abruptly swerving back and sideswiping the median barrier.

No patrol vehicles were immediately behind the Lexus when it crashed and briefly went airborne. The vehicle came to a stop soon after the collision and several good Samaritans stopped to apparently offer assistance.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Highway Patrol officers arrived at the scene moments later, one of whom pointed his gun at the suspect while another shattered the front passenger-side window with a baton.

The driver, with arms raised in the air, then stepped out and lay face-down on the ground while being handcuffed. The suspect then stood up unassisted and did not appear to be seriously injured.