UPDATED AT 12:00 a.m.
BY RANDY ECONOMY
A stolen vehicle, and a brief high speed pursuit resulted in a dramatic three car accident in front of Cerritos High School on Tuesday afternoon, just as student were being let out of school.
The crash resulted in the arrest of three suspected carjacking suspects, and the injuries to other innocent drivers as well as the closure of 183rd Street for several hours.
Lt. Nicassio of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Department told Los Cerritos Community Newspaper late Tuesday night those Deputies initiated a pursuit at Norwalk Boulevard and 207th Street in Artesia of a vehicle for “driving under the influence.”
The pursuit was terminated by a Lakewood Sheriff’s Field Sergeant since the suspected vehicle was heading toward Cerritos High School that was just letting students out of classes for the day.
“The vehicle later collided into two civilian vehicles at the intersection of 183rd Street and Bloomfield Ave at which point three suspects ran from the vehicle,” Nicassio told LCCN.
“Our main concern was to protect the lives of innocent residents,” said Nicassio.
Containment was established around the Cerritos Towne Center area and all of the suspects were located and arrested. The vehicle was later confirmed stolen out of LAPD’s area.
Members of the Cerritos and Lakewood Sheriff’s Station were on the scene after three cars collided violently.
A large sports utility vehicle was lying on its side after apparently flipping sideways. Two other cars were totally destroyed in the accident.
Deputies apprehended the female passenger at the scene of the accident, and the two other suspects were apprehended by a nearby hotel located next to the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.
Hundreds of Cerritos High School students were seen around the crash site, in addition to several law enforcement officials as well as firefighters and at least four ambulances.
“I saw it happened. It was horrible. All of a sudden, three cars just starting flying in the air,” said a Cerritos High School student who did not want to be identified. ”I hope everyone is okay,” he said.
Cerritos High School Principal Janice Peterson could be seen at the crash site talking to at least two students who were apparently were involved in the accident.
The names of the three arrested have not been released, according to Nicassio.
“We are going to release the names of those who in custody on Wednesday,” Nicassio said.
LCCN will update this situation on Wednesday.
(Photo: Cerritos High School Principal Janice Peterson attends to two Cerritos High School Students who were at the violent crash that took place on Tuesday afternoon. Randy Economy Photo).
CARS CAUSE CARNAGE! DRIVE WITH RESPECT! CARS ARE LIKE WEAPONS YET PEOPLE DRIVE SO CARELESSLY AS IF THEY ARE BLOW DRYING THEIR HAIR. LEARN FROM THIS PEOPLE! DRIVING IS SERIOUS BUSINESS!! DRIVING KILLS PEOPLE AND PERMANENTLY DESTROYS PEOPLE’S LIVES.