LA Cops Hurt in Brutal Crash While Chasing Suspected Drunk Driver

15 February 2026

Los Angeles Police Department SUV damaged on the side after a pursuit crash at night. Three Los Angeles Police Department officers were hospitalized after a pursuit crash in Northridge Saturday night. KTLA

A routine patrol shift turned into a nightmare in the San Fernando Valley this past weekend when Los Angeles Police Department officers were seriously injured in a violent crash during a pursuit of a suspected drunk driver. Saturday night’s incident left three LAPD officers in the hospital and a community once again grappling with the perilous reality of alcohol-related driving incidents that continue to plague Southern California. Authorities say the pursuit began when patrol units identified a vehicle believed to be operated by someone under the influence of alcohol and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

As the chase unfolded near the Reseda–Northridge area, officers maneuvered through busy streets in an effort to intercept the suspect while minimizing risk to other motorists and pedestrians. According to multiple eyewitness video posts and police sources the situation escalated rapidly when one of the pursuing patrol cars collided with another law enforcement vehicle during the high-stakes pursuit, resulting in significant injuries to those inside. Emergency crews rushed to the scene to provide aid and transport the injured officers to nearby hospitals where they remain under care.

The precise circumstances leading up to the collision are still under review as LAPD investigators comb through dashcam footage and statements from officers and witnesses. The suspected driver was eventually taken into custody, though details about his condition and the exact charges he faces have not yet been fully disclosed by law enforcement. Sources close to the department said that blood alcohol content testing and other sobriety evaluations are expected to form a key part of the ongoing investigation as authorities determine whether criminal DUI charges will be filed.

This dramatic episode adds to a troubling pattern of alcohol-related traffic incidents across Los Angeles County, where residents have witnessed multiple fatal crashes involving suspected impaired drivers in recent months and years. Just last week deputies in Santa Clarita Valley reported a tragic collision in which a husband and wife were killed and their adult daughter was seriously injured after a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old suspected of drunk driving slammed into their car at night. That tragic case has drawn attention to the continued dangers posed by young drivers and impaired operation of motor vehicles on busy local roads.

The broader context for these dangerous incidents has prompted renewed debate among lawmakers and community advocates about California’s DUI laws and enforcement practices. Critics of current state policies argue that lenient sentencing and diversion programs for vehicular manslaughter and intoxicated driving have emboldened offenders and failed to deliver adequate deterrence. Family members of victims in other high-profile drunk driving cases have publicly called on lawmakers to toughen penalties and close loopholes that allow alleged offenders to avoid lengthy prison terms even after causing irreversible harm.

Within the LAPD ranks the latest crash has sparked concern and solidarity as officers and their supporters call for renewed emphasis on traffic enforcement and improved resources for handling dangerous pursuits safely. Police unions and leadership have issued statements stressing the risk that impaired drivers pose to both law enforcement and everyday citizens, while also highlighting the courage of officers who put themselves in harm’s way to prevent further tragedy on bustling city streets.

As the injured officers continue to recover in local hospitals and the investigation unfolds, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle communities face in combating reckless and impaired driving. It also underscores the inherent dangers police officers confront daily as they respond to emergencies and attempt to keep public roadways safe, often at great personal cost. The hope among both law enforcement and residents alike is that this latest chapter will strengthen resolve to reduce DUI incidents and spur meaningful changes that enhance safety for everyone who shares the road.