40 SECONDS TO HELL

2 Dead Following 40-Second-Long Police Chase That Ended In Fiery Crash In Heart Of Hollywood

CBS Los Angeles
May 14, 2017

HOLLYWOOD -- Authorities say two people in a stolen vehicle have died following a police chase that ended in a fiery crash in Hollywood.

The pursuit, which lasted no longer than 40 seconds, ended at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard at Gower Street.

Officers used fire extinguishers and attempted to pull the suspects from the burning vehicle — a 1993 Honda Accord — after it crashed into a tree.

Police were not able to get the suspects out in time. Authorities said they were so badly burned it was impossible to tell their genders.

The incident unfolded just after 2 a.m. Sunday.

Both suspects were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities have not yet been released.

“We saw the car in flames and the cops surrounding it,” said witness Lauren Weening.

She also said many patrol cars were in pursuit of the suspects.

“He was going 70 miles per hour. We counted 14 cops following him, we counted 14 police officers going after him,” Weening said.

The crash was so horrific many had trouble recognizing a car was involved.

“It didn’t even look like a vehicle,” said Molly McRhoads, “it just looked like a bunch of scrap metal, just burnt metal, twisted and awful.”

No one else was hurt.