Chase suspect goes airborne in violent South LA crash, leaving behind trail of destroyed cars

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Residents of a South Los Angeles neighborhood woke up to find their cars destroyed following an overnight police chase that ended in a violent crash.

It all started around 1 a.m. Wednesday when officers began pursuing a car for reckless driving on Imperial Highway, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Shortly after the chase began, police say the driver missed a curve in the road and sped straight down 114th Street instead, crashing and leaving behind a widespread trail of destruction scattered across the street.

Surveillance video from a home in the area captured the moment the speeding suspect crashed into the back of a parked car, launching off of it and going airborne before slamming into several other vehicles.

The sedan ended up partially inside Sheyda Morales' SUV.

But Hector Gutierrez's car got the worst of it - the entire roof of his car was completely sheared off in the impact.

"I heard the crash first, then I heard the sirens," Gutierrez said, adding that this is the third time his car has been hit in the area.

Those who live in the area say happens crashes like this happen all too often.

"There's very little light. So at night time it's worse. Especially if you're a drunk driver or you're coming just quick," said Morales.

Dispute the extensive damage, the driver was the only person hurt. He was taken into custody with just a fractured nose.

It's unclear if drugs or alcohol played a part in the crash.