High-Speed Police Chase Ends in LA Crash
A driver wanted for a traffic violation led police on a high-speed pursuit across Los Angeles before crashing into multiple LAPD vehicles. The chase and subsequent collision caused significant traffic disruptions and a large police response.
The chase on Monday, February 16, 2026, began after a pickup truck driver ran a red light in San Bernardino County. The pursuit then continued for approximately 60 miles, heading westbound on the 10 Freeway into downtown Los Angeles. Initially handled by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the chase was later taken over by the California Highway Patrol as it entered Los Angeles County. Speeds during the pursuit reached between 75 and 80 miles per hour on the freeway. Law enforcement was also responding to reports that the driver had made comments about being suicidal, adding a layer of concern to the chase. The pursuit concluded without a collision when the driver voluntarily pulled over and surrendered to CHP officers near the transition from the 10 Freeway to the 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. The driver exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident. This incident is part of a broader issue in the region, with the LAPD alone engaging in 1,116 pursuits in 2024, nearly a third of which ended in crashes. That same year, 114 civilians were injured and three were killed in incidents related to police chases. LAPD policy requires officers to perform a "balance test" to continuously weigh the necessity of a pursuit against the risk to public safety. Pursuits for minor infractions are officially discouraged.
