The pursuit of a suspected stolen vehicle near Downey ended peacefully Tuesday morning, though the suspects’ bizarre actions could have resulted in tragedy.
The vehicle, which the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told KTLA is believed to be stolen, was traveling at high speeds in residential areas of Downey and Bell Gardens when Sky5 located the pursuit just after 10 a.m.
The driver also blew through stop signs and drove into oncoming traffic, forcing other drivers to take action to avoid collisions.
The driver’s side side mirror appeared to have sustained damage at some point, as it could be seen dangling from the car door.
By 10:15, the vehicle drove onto the 5 Freeway, where the driver and a passenger abandoned the car on the shoulder of the road.
Deputies then pulled up and took the two people into custody, but not before the pair attempted to make it across the freeway on foot.
They tested their crossing a couple of times before seemingly giving up. Deputies arrived soon thereafter.