East Los Angeles pursuit ends with crash, police shooting, 1 dead and 1 injured
A stolen car suspect who led police officers on a pursuit through downtown and East Los Angeles on Wednesday morning was pronounced dead at the scene of his crashed vehicle after a police confrontation led to shots being fired.
According to the LAPD, the incident began when police attempted a traffic stop, and Jesus Ernesto Jaime, 30, took off in the area of 7th Street and Towne Avenue. The suspect, wanted for grand theft auto, started a police pursuit around 9:48 a.m.
The chase ended when Jaime made a U-turn on the 5 Freeway, Olympic Boulevard off-ramp, and crashed into an LAPD SUV, according to the department.
During a morning news conference, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said after crashing into a police vehicle, "the driver got out of the car and fired shots, unknown number at the officers."
He said officers returned fire and "the suspect went down."
Jaime was pronounced dead at the scene.
The second suspect in the passenger seat was unable to get out due to the traffic collision damage on the vehicle, McDonnell said. Aerial footage showed the suspect sticking their hands out of the passenger window as police had their guns drawn.
The passenger suspect exited the crashed car by crawling out of the side window. The passenger was transported by paramedics to a hospital for injuries he sustained during the crash.
The LAPD is conducting a use-of-force investigation.