Los Angeles, California – A woman was arrested after a police chase that culminated in a violent crash on the 405 Freeway in Brentwood. Authorities responded to a disturbance call around 4:20 a.m. at 4th and Rose Avenue in Venice, reporting a suspect in a white pickup truck.
The chase began around 4:50 a.m. on Friday, May 17, when the suspect allegedly struck a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) patrol car, injuring two officers before heading to the 405 Freeway. According to the LAPD, the suspect was driving a white pickup truck at high speed.
The LAPD attempted to stop the suspect using multiple PIT maneuvers on the 405 Freeway. The white pickup truck reached speeds close to 100 mph, with smoke billowing from under the hood. During the pursuit, the truck spun in circles, trying to evade officers, before driving the wrong way on the northbound 405 Freeway.
This police chase on the 405 Freeway ended in a violent multi-vehicle crash after the suspect drove against traffic. The suspect hit at least three innocent drivers before climbing onto the roof of the truck and jumping onto the hood of a semi-truck. The semi-truck driver reported that the suspect was yelling, “Open the door, open the door, I need help!“
Police managed to pull the woman off the hood of the truck and took her into custody. Five officers were injured during the incident, two of whom were hospitalized but have since been released, according to an LAPD statement.
Although the suspect’s identity has not been officially released, family members informed local media that she is Lisa Heflin, 41, who was recently reported missing. The truck she was driving had Missouri plates. Heflin’s family mentioned that she has a history of mental health issues and had been reported missing on Thursday after they lost contact with her.
An uninvolved driver suffered minor injuries in the crash but did not require medical transport. SkyCAL flew over the scene, capturing footage of an ambulance responding along with other emergency agencies.
This police chase on the 405 Freeway highlights the importance of freeway safety and the swift response of law enforcement to handle high-risk situations. The cooperation among various emergency agencies was crucial in minimizing the consequences of this dramatic event.
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