The Los Angeles Police Department vehicle involved in a fatal crash in Hollywood on Monday was crossing the intersection against a red light with its emergency lights on, police said on Wednesday.
The chain-reaction crash, which occurred a few minutes before 4 p.m., began when an officer on Gower Street near the intersection with Santa Monica Boulevard “activated the vehicle’s emergency lights and proceeded through the intersection when traffic appeared clear,” the LAPD said in a news release.
A Nissan Altima headed west on Santa Monica then hit the right rear of the patrol vehicle, sending the LAPD cruiser into a pedestrian who was in the marked crosswalk.
The LAPD vehicle and the pedestrian then hit a Mercedes-Benz that was stopped at a red light headed south on Gower.
Multiple ambulances responded to the scene and took all involved to local hospitals.
The pedestrian “sustained significant trauma” and was pronounced dead at the hospital, while all others were treated for minor injuries and released, police said.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact detectives at 213-486-0690.
During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD24-7 (1-877-527-3247).
To report information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.