Violent Crash Ends High-Speed Police Pursuit in Atwater Village

An 18-year-old driver wanted for suspected DUI led police on a 50-minute chase that ended in a dramatic collision.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A police pursuit through Los Angeles overnight ended with a violent crash in the Atwater Village neighborhood, where a black pickup truck slammed into parked cars, rolled over, and landed on top of them around 1:50 AM on Sunday. The impact was so loud it woke up nearby residents, and home surveillance footage captured the dramatic collision. The 18-year-old driver of the truck, who was wanted for possible DUI, sustained significant injuries and was taken to the hospital.

Why it matters

High-speed police chases through residential areas can pose serious risks to public safety, and this incident highlights the need for law enforcement to carefully weigh the dangers of pursuits against the potential benefits. The crash also damaged several vehicles belonging to local residents, underscoring the real-world consequences of such reckless driving.

The details

The pursuit began around 1 AM in South LA near Figueroa and 94th streets, with the 18-year-old driver of the black pickup truck leading police on a chase that stretched about 15 miles before ending in the violent crash in Atwater Village. The truck slammed into parked cars, including a Kia Soul and a Toyota Corolla, causing significant damage and flipping the truck onto its side. Another black sedan was also hit in the collision.

  • The pursuit began around 1 AM in South LA.
  • The crash occurred around 1:50 AM on Sunday morning.

The players

LAPD

The Los Angeles Police Department was involved in the pursuit and responded to the crash scene.

Lance Reyes

A resident whose Kia Soul was crushed by the pickup truck during the crash.

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What they’re saying

“I thought someone had driven through the front of my house. I thought I was gonna come out of my bedroom and go into the kitchen and see a car in my living room. That's what it sounded like. It sounded like a giant crash, like the biggest noise I think I've ever heard.”

— Lance Reyes, Resident (nbclosangeles.com)

“It's absolutely remarkable that no one was seriously injured.”

— Victoria Cahill, Resident (nbclosangeles.com)

What’s next

The LAPD is investigating the incident and the condition of the 18-year-old driver, who remains hospitalized with significant injuries.

The takeaway

This high-speed chase and violent crash in a residential neighborhood underscores the dangers of police pursuits and the need for careful policies to balance public safety with law enforcement priorities. While no one was seriously injured, the damage to personal property highlights the real-world consequences of such reckless driving.