A high-speed chase through West Los Angeles involving a homeless woman driving a van ended dramatically Friday when she crashed into multiple vehicles on the San Diego (405) Freeway after driving in the wrong direction, authorities said.
The pursuit began in a Venice neighborhood after a dispute escalated dramatically around 4am at 3rd and Rose Avenue. The woman, reportedly living out of her van, had been disturbing neighbors throughout the night by playing loud music, screaming, and throwing objects. Despite multiple calls to the police, the situation only intensified.
"She was up all night doing drugs, appearing to be on something, and acting erratic in the middle of the street," a local resident said. "They could have arrested her right there."
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) became involved when the woman collided with an LAPD patrol car. Despite attempts by Venice Business Improvement District personnel to intervene, the woman claimed to be a federal agent and grew increasingly confrontational, eventually reversing her van into the police vehicle and fleeing onto the freeway.
Driving the wrong way in the northbound lanes of the 405 freeway at nearly 100 mph, the van was visibly damaged by police Pursuit Intervention Technique, or PIT, maneuvers but continued until it struck multiple vehicles and a big rig near the Wilshire Boulevard exit. The woman, wearing a white tank top and with blood on her face, scrambled out of the van, climbed onto the roof, and was eventually taken into custody on the hood of the big rig.
Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the scene. Although it was initially reported that four officers were examined for injuries with one taken to the hospital, police later clarified that two officers were transported with minor injuries. There were no serious injuries reported among other drivers involved in the freeway crash.
David Hill, a motorist caught in the crash, recounted the chaos. "Out of nowhere, that white van just came careening into us, hit the car in front of me and then slid into my car," Hill said. "I was terrified, so I immediately just jumped out of my car and came over to the shoulder."
The incident caused significant disruptions to the morning commute, with several freeway lanes closed until around 9:30am when the entire freeway was reopened. The woman's name has not been released, and charges are pending as the investigation continues.
Irwin Fletcher, Westside Current
