LOS ANGELES (CBS News) – A prolonged and hazardous pursuit involving a stolen semi-truck unfolded across multiple southern California freeways late Monday night, culminating in a chaotic scene in downtown los Angeles. The truck, identified as a milking truck used for agricultural transport, led authorities on a winding chase for over an hour, driving against traffic and endangering numerous motorists.
The incident began around 10:30 p.m. when authorities attempted to stop the truck in the San Bernardino area. Initial attempts to box in the vehicle proved unsuccessful.Following a second failed attempt, the suspect vehicle collided head-on with another big rig on the 405 Freeway. Remarkably, both the driver and passenger of the struck truck were able to enter the suspect’s vehicle and continued the flight north on the 405.
The driver of the impacted semi-truck,thankfully,sustained no injuries. The stolen vehicle was a specialized tanker truck owned by Borges dairy Products, based in Turlock, California, used for transporting raw milk from farms in the Central Valley to processing facilities. The truck’s capacity is approximately 6,500 gallons.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) joined the pursuit as the suspects transitioned onto the 210 Freeway, then the northbound I-5 Freeway towards the Newhall Pass.The chase continued with a series of freeway maneuvers, including an exit onto Calgrove Boulevard before re-entering the I-5 heading south.
Speeds reached 70 mph as the suspects traversed the 170 and 101 Freeways, directing their course towards downtown Los Angeles. At approximately 11:20 p.m., the truck entered the 110 Freeway heading south. The pursuit then moved onto surface streets, with nearly a dozen law enforcement vehicles in pursuit. On Figueroa Street, the suspects repeatedly drove against oncoming traffic, disregarding red lights and stop signs.
The most perilous moment occurred shortly before 11:40 p.m.when the suspects drove the wrong way on the 10 Freeway, forcing numerous drivers to take evasive action. After approximately one minute, they exited the freeway and returned to downtown streets. The truck finally stopped under the 10 Freeway overpass at Newton and Alameda Streets.
Both suspects abandoned the truck and fled on foot, entering a white pickup truck and continuing their escape. They were last seen at approximately 11:50 p.m. near a 101 Freeway overpass in Central City, where the pickup truck came to a stop after colliding with parked vehicles on Mission Road.
As of Tuesday morning, no arrests have been made. The CHP is leading the examination and has not released the identities of the suspects. The incident caused significant traffic disruptions across multiple freeways and surface streets. The CHP is asking anyone with data regarding the suspects or the stolen truck to contact them at (555) 123-4567.
