Police pursuit of an alleged human trafficking suspect near Koreatown turned deadly late Thursday night.
Authorities said one person was killed and two hospitalized with critical injuries Friday following a late-night chase that ended in a multi-car collision.
The Los Angeles Police Department was conducting an undercover human trafficking operation when officers spotted possible suspects in a black Mercedes-Benz sedan. They said the suspects appeared to be dropping off a female victim near Melrose and Western Avenue.
The woman was detained as officers tried to conduct a traffic stop on the Mercedes before it took off at a high speed around 11:35 p.m. The chase ended minutes later, just a few blocks away on 6th and Wilton streets near Koreatown.
"As [the Mercedes] approached an intersection it ran a red light and ran into three other vehicles," LAPD Captain Brett McGuire told KNX. "The suspect's vehicle eventually came to rest on someone's property and hit a wall."
A total of five people were in the vehicles hit by the Mercedes, according to ABC 7. Police said all of them were innocent victims who were not involved in the chase.
One person in a white Toyota pickup truck involved in the collision was taken to the hospital where they died of their injuries. Their name has not been released. Four others were treated for serious injuries, according to LAPD.
"This could've been anyone. This could've been anyone going home from work, or wherever, or coming home," police Lt. Rex Ingram said while at the crash site, according to ABC 7. "It could've been police officers sitting at the intersection.”
"It's tragic for the victim of the human trafficking and also for the victim's family, the victim of this traffic collision."
CBS LA reported that the police contacted a possible female victim of the human trafficking investigation. She was safe, but the exact details of the investigation were not immediately disclosed.
The two human trafficking suspects were taken into custody at the scene and also transported to a hospital. Their conditions are unknown.
They are now facing charges of human trafficking, firearms possession and vehicular manslaughter. Their bail has been set at $500,000.
