South Pasadena, CA – A 20-year-old Altadena man was killed Friday after crashing into a home while fleeing police in a reportedly stolen Dodge Charger.
The Incident
Police were alerted by a license plate reader about the stolen Dodge Charger. Officers located the vehicle, but the suspect refused to pull over, leading to a brief pursuit.
Shortly before 5 a.m., the chase was cancelled due to the suspect’s erratic driving. Less than a minute later, he crashed into a home on the 300 block of Orange Grove Avenue.
Video from the scene showed the car flipped over before slamming into the homeowner’s garage. First responders arrived quickly, but the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
Damage and Neighbor Concerns
The home’s exterior suffered heavy damage, though no occupants were injured. Neighbors reported that speeding on Orange Grove Avenue is a common concern. This was the second fatal crash at the same house in two years.
In August 2023, a driver reached speeds of 100 mph before crashing into the same garage, killing one person and hospitalizing two others.
Evan, a neighbor, said:
“It’s sad. This is twice now that somebody has died right there in that driveway in two years.”
The homeowners told KTLA reporter Rachel Menitoff that they are shaken but grateful no one inside was harmed. Neighbors expressed sympathy for the costly damage they now face.
“Now they have to deal with it through no fault of their own. Their house, their garage, is destroyed. It’s a sad thing,” Evan added.
Investigation
The incident remains under investigation. The suspect’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
What are your thoughts on this dangerous stretch of road? Share your views in the comments below.
