Female Suspect In South LA Hit-And-Run Leads Police On Chase That Ends With Man Reportedly Losing Leg
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Officials said a woman who is a suspect in a South LA hit-and-run crash that left a man in critical condition, later crashed into two parked vehicles following a brief pursuit.
The unidentified woman -- wanted for reckless driving -- has been taken into custody, police said.
The man was struck about 5:30 p.m. at the intersection of 43rd Street and Central Avenue, according to Officer Mike Lopez of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section.
The woman allegedly left the first accident scene at a high rate of speed in a white Audi and while being chased by police she hit two parked vehicle -- a car and a truck -- in the area of 51st Street and McKinley Avenue.
The victim was taken to a hospital, Lopez said.
Cristy Fajardo, reporting for KCAL9, said the victim apparently lost a leg in the crash.
The suspect, meanwhile, was possibly drunk, Fajardo reported.
Witnesses had trouble hiding their horror of the crash.
The victim's belongings were strewn all over the street.
"He didn't look like he was going to make it," said witness Awki Wilds, "when they put him on the gurney, his leg was missing."
Police told Fajardo the victim was out of surgery but remained in "extremely critical condition."
As for the driver, she is in her 20s, accused of drunk driving and felony hit-and-run. She is also in the hospital. If the victim should lose his life, she will also be charged with vehicular manslaughter, Fajardo reported.
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
