People v. Ortega CA2/6

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On the evening of August 26, 2011, while on patrol in his black-and-white police vehicle, Los Angeles Police Sergeant Louie Lozano observed a Ford pickup truck fail to stop at the red light at the intersection of Lincoln Park Avenue and Mission Road. The truck was traveling at a high rate of speed, up to 70 miles per hour. Lozano, who had been stopped at the intersection, began pursuit. He saw the truck run another red light. As the chase continued, the truck increased its speed to approximately 80 miles per hour, wove in and out of traffic, ran several stop signs and made an illegal left turn. When Lozano was about a half block behind the truck, he activated his lights and siren. The truck continued to travel at 75 to 80 miles per hour and ran more stop signs and red lights before turning onto a side street. When Sergeant Lozano turned onto the side street, he saw the truck stopped, with one person running away from it. The passenger door of the truck was closed, and there was no one else in the area. Two back-up units arrived within 30 to 45 seconds. A resident notified the officers that a male had exited the truck and was running through his…