A motorist who had been pursued by Gardena police before the chase was called crashed into parked vehicles a few minutes later in the city of Los Angeles early Thursday and died at the scene.
The crash was reported about 2:40 a.m. at 94th Street and Harvard Boulevard, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.
Information was not immediately available on the name of the fatally injured man, who apparently was 20-30 years of age, the LAPD reported.
“At approximately 2:27 a.m., a Gardena Police Department patrol officer observed a gray Dodge Charger driving recklessly on Redondo Beach Boulevard in the city of Gardena,” Gardena police said in a statement.
“The vehicle was speeding and failed to stop at red traffic lights,” Gardena police said. “The officer was able to catch up to the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop. The driver of the Dodge sped away, and a vehicle pursuit ensued.”
The Dodge went onto the northbound Harbor (110) Freeway, followed by police, and exited on Manchester Avenue in Los Angeles.
“The lone pursuing Gardena police officer’s vehicle became disabled shortly after exiting the freeway, and the pursuit was discontinued,” Gardena police said. “The Dodge was able to elude capture at that time.”
A few minutes later, Gardena police were notified by LAPD officers that the Dodge had crashed. The investigation was continuing.