6 Injured In LAPD Pursuit Crash

SAN PEDRO, CA — The driver in a stolen vehicle chase crashed in San Pedro Friday afternoon, injuring six people, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

At least two of the injured were in critical condition, according to the Los Angeles police and fire departments. Several were trapped in the wreckage, and had to be extricated by firefighters using hydraulic tools, said Los Angeles Fire Department Spokesperson Lyndsey Lantz.

The chase began just after 12:30 p.m. Friday at 19th Street and Pacific Avenue, said LAPD Officer Drake Madison. The vehicle crashed within seconds after the chase began, and it wasn't immediately clear how many other vehicles may have been involved in the crash, said Madison.

It started out as a felony vehicle theft pursuit, and following the collision, officers called for backup due to a man with a gun, added Madison.

As of 3:30 p.m., the investigation into the pursuit crash remained ongoing, and the number of arrests made was unknown, said Madison.

In all, six people were injured. Two were hospitalized in serious condition and four more were injured but refused to be transported to a hospital by paramedics, Lantz said.

The two people hospitalized with serious injuries included a 25-year-old man and 35-year-old woman, Lantz added.

It was the second suspect crash in the South Bay Friday.

The driver of a Kia sedan reportedly carjacked in Hollywood suffered critical injuries Friday when she crashed into a truck in Torrance, according to police. Two people in the truck were also hospitalized with injuries.

The officers said they did not initiate a pursuit, but the driver "took off" when she saw them, and she crashed about a quarter mile ahead of the officers.