Wrong-way, Hit-and-Run Driver Causes Mayhem on 101 Freeway, Crashes in Hollywood
Hollywood, CA – A wrong-way, hit-and-run driver caused chaos on the 101 Freeway on Tuesday, crashing into more than a dozen cars before exiting onto surface streets in Hollywood and colliding with yet another motorist while being pursued by police. Authorities confirmed to KTLA that the suspect, driving a white pickup truck, was taken into custody following the dramatic incident.
Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) responded to reports of a suspect possibly driving under the influence at around 4:16 p.m. at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Bronson Avenue. Footage obtained by KTLA shows the heavily damaged front-end of the suspect's truck just moments after the collision. Police quickly surrounded the vehicle with guns drawn, ordering the suspect to exit the truck.
The suspect, pushing aside the airbags, stumbled out onto the street where he was promptly arrested. Shortly thereafter, an officer was seen extinguishing a small fire that had ignited underneath the suspect’s truck.
John Londono, whose vehicle was hit by the wrong-way driver on the 101 Freeway, described the harrowing scene to KTLA. "There was an accident. I guess he was trying to get away and started driving the opposite way of traffic," Londono explained. "He started hitting all kinds of cars so everybody would move. He must’ve hit 20 cars, trying to move everybody out of the way so he could escape."
According to Londono, the suspect was driving in the wrong direction on the 101 Freeway near Universal Studios before making it all the way back into Hollywood. "He caused a giant pile-up on the freeway," Londono added. "I was able to get off and now I see his car over here. I wanted to get information because he went head-on with my car on the freeway."
Another victim, Alejandro Corredor, was struck by the suspect when he ran a red light on Hollywood Boulevard at Bronson while police were in pursuit. The impact of the collision deployed the airbags in Corredor's vehicle, a brand-new car he had purchased just two months prior. "I got it at a dealership brand new," Corredor explained. "My first brand new car ever, two months ago. What are you going to do?"
The suspect appeared to have minor injuries and was taken to the hospital by medical personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department. No other injuries were reported. The extent of the charges the man will face remains unclear, but police told KTLA that a field sobriety test would be performed to determine whether the suspect was under the influence of drugs and or alcohol.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving and the importance of vigilance on our roadways. The LAPD continues to investigate the incident, and further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
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