LOS ANGELES, CA – A tragic accident unfolded late Tuesday night in the Vermont Square neighborhood of South Los Angeles, claiming the life of a baby and leaving its parents critically injured. The collision occurred when a stolen vehicle, driven at high speed, slammed into the family’s car.
Surveillance footage captured the devastating crash, which happened around 11:30 p.m. The suspect, driving a white car, lost control while speeding northbound on Western Avenue, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph. The vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic near 46th Street, colliding with the family’s car traveling southbound.
The impact was so severe that the suspect was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The infant, less than a year old, was killed instantly, while both parents, in their 30s, were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. They remain in critical condition.
Authorities are investigating the crash, noting that the powerful impact suggests the suspect attempted to slow down upon noticing nearby officers. However, police confirmed they were not in pursuit of the stolen vehicle at the time of the crash.
The incident highlights a troubling trend of high-speed collisions in the city, with speed often being a critical factor. While the area is known for busy traffic, the specifics of this crash have prompted a closer examination by investigators.
The suspect, only described as a man in his 40s, had not been identified at the time of reporting. Detectives plan to return to the crash site to gather more evidence and speak with potential witnesses.
The stretch of Western Avenue where the crash occurred was closed for several hours overnight but reopened Wednesday morning. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to piece together the events leading up to this tragic accident.