Stolen Tesla Splits In Half Following Police Pursuit, Crash In West Hollywood
WEST HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Six people were injured early Friday morning when the driver of a reportedly stolen Tesla crashed into a West Hollywood building following a high-speed police pursuit.
Officers responded to the 5800 block of Centinela Avenue around 12:51 a.m. after a report of a person attempting to steal a vehicle.
When officers arrived in the area, a high-speed pursuit ensued with the driver of a black Tesla, who was driving nearly 100 mph.
The police cruiser crashed into a center divider on La Brea Avenue in Baldwin Hills as the suspect continued driving. The Tesla then crashed into a Honda carrying five people in the 1200 block of N. La Brea Avenue in West Hollywood before crashing into another vehicle.
"We think the Tesla struck the Mercury that's parked over at the curb, and it also crashed into the two light poles, and it was severed in half," Los Angeles Sheriff's Dept. Lt. Micheal White said. "The back half of it ended up wedged between the wall and the corner of the building."
The 28-year-old driver of the Tesla was ejected before the front half caught on fire. The suspect was transported to Cedar Sinai Hospital in critical condition. Three people in the Honda were also transported — one in critical condition, one in serious and one with minor injuries.
The two police officers in the cruiser were transported with minor injuries.
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the chase and stolen vehicle, as well as the crash involving the police cruiser, while the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is investigating the other collisions.