SUV flips into oncoming traffic during police pursuit in Southern California

A pursuit in Orange County came to a dramatic end when the driver of an SUV rounded a corner, lost control of the vehicle and flipped into oncoming traffic Wednesday afternoon, authorities confirmed to KTLA.

Detectives with the Santa Ana Police Department’s Gang Unit initiated the pursuit of the driver, a parolee, for a traffic violation at around 5:10 p.m., SAPD Public Information Officer Natalie Garcia said.

In video footage of the pursuit obtained by KTLA, the driver is seen barreling into a right hand turn at a busy intersection at a high rate of speed followed closely by a police cruiser.

The SUV fishtails left after making the turn and then the driver likely overcorrects, causing the vehicle to fishtail hard to the right, lose control and flip over the median and slam into at least one vehicle on the opposite side of the roadway.

  • SUV flips into oncoming traffic at end of pursuit in Orange County
    Driver of SUV flips vehicle into oncoming traffic during police pursuit in Orange County on April 10, 2024. (Viewer photo)
  • SUV flips into oncoming traffic at end of pursuit in Orange County
    Driver of SUV flips vehicle into oncoming traffic during police pursuit in Orange County on April 10, 2024. (Viewer photo)
  • SUV flips into oncoming traffic at end of pursuit in Orange County
    Driver of SUV flips vehicle into oncoming traffic during police pursuit in Orange County on April 10, 2024. (Viewer photo)
  • SUV flips into oncoming traffic at end of pursuit in Orange County
    Driver of SUV flips vehicle into oncoming traffic during police pursuit in Orange County on April 10, 2024. (Viewer photo)
  • SUV flips into oncoming traffic at end of pursuit in Orange County
    Driver of SUV flips vehicle into oncoming traffic during police pursuit in Orange County on April 10, 2024. (Viewer photo)
  • SUV flips into oncoming traffic at end of pursuit in Orange County
    Driver of SUV flips vehicle into oncoming traffic during police pursuit in Orange County on April 10, 2024. (Viewer photo)
  • SUV flips into oncoming traffic at end of pursuit in Orange County
    Driver of SUV flips vehicle into oncoming traffic during police pursuit in Orange County on April 10, 2024. (Viewer photo)

Officers are seen exiting their vehicles with guns drawn and surrounding the suspect.

The chase, according to police, lasted just six minutes and traveled only a mile and a half before the crash occurred.

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The suspect was taken out of the vehicle and transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and was later booked on pursuit and drug-related charges.

No other injuries to citizens or police were reported.

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