Commerce, CA (February 23, 2025) – Late Saturday night, an alleged wrong-way driver led California Highway Patrol officers on a brief pursuit in Commerce, culminating in a fatal two-vehicle collision. The incident began shortly after 11 p.m. near Eastern and Florence Avenues, when officers attempted to stop a vehicle traveling against traffic. The pursuit ended minutes later at the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Randolph Street, where the suspect’s vehicle collided with another car. The crash resulted in the death of a bystander and critically injured three others, including a pedestrian who sustained severe injuries. The driver was apprehended and is currently in custody.
As a personal injury attorney, I have several legal questions about this incident that should be investigated.
What Factors Led to the Collision?
In this case, a stolen Chrysler 300 was traveling north on Eastern Ave at a high speed when it lost control and skidded into the intersection. The vehicle first struck a stationary Chevy Cruze before also striking two pedestrians. When investigating the crash, investigators should examine factors such as how far the car traveled, if it ran a red light at an intersection and the position of the vehicles during the pursuit. Investigators could look at surveillance footage and gather information from eyewitness accounts to construct what happened just before the crash.
What Legal Recourse Is Available for the Victims and Their Families?
The victims and their families may have grounds to pursue a claim against the driver for damages resulting from the collision. These claims could cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
Legal Considerations
Determining the exact cause of this collision and the events leading up to it is crucial for establishing responsibility. In my experience, cases involving wrong-way drivers and police pursuits require thorough investigations to uncover all contributing factors. This includes reviewing dashcam footage, radio communications, and eyewitness accounts.
My deepest condolences go out to those affected by this loss, and I hope for the swift recovery of those injured.
Source: NBC Los Angeles