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Suspect fleeing police crashes SUV into Van Nuys building, kills woman
San Fernando Valley Oct 25, 2021
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A motorist was in custody Monday after allegedly fleeing police and crashing an SUV through a building being used as a Halloween pop-up store in Van Nuys, killing a woman and injuring at least five other people, authorities said.
The crash happened around 8:05 p.m. Sunday at 7600 Woodley Ave., at Saticoy Street, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart.
A woman believed to have been in her 20s died at the scene. Her name was withheld pending family notification.
Paramedics evaluated at least five others for injuries, none believed life-threatening.
NBC4 reported that the 18-year-old SUV driver was taking part in a nearby street takeover, doing donuts in the middle of an intersection, and crashed into the building at a high speed while being followed by the LAPD helicopter overhead.
Street takeovers often involve dozens or sometimes hundreds of attendees blocking off city intersections where drivers perform stunts. Serious injuries and some deaths have occurred at street takeovers in recent years.
Police told NBC4 that the suspect could face a possible murder charge. His name was not immediately released.
Police at the scene said the SUV was traveling at such a high rate of speed it left 200 feet of skid marks on the street and continued 75 feet to the back of the building before it stopped, ABC7 said.
The genders and ages of the other victims were not immediately available.
LAFD’s Urban Search and Rescue team was evaluating the stability of the building, Stewart said.
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