News anchors were visibly shaken when a man, who was being monitored during a live broadcast of a police chase, was killed.
On the evening of October 20, KCBS-TV broadcast helicopter footage showing Los Angeles police closing in on a suspect believed to have stolen a car.
The gripping chase, lasting nearly 30 minutes, was recorded from above, depicting a white van speeding along the freeway while police vehicles with flashing blue lights pursued closely.
The chase reached a dramatic climax when the alleged suspect appeared to ‘jump’ from the moving van in the Mount Washington area.
As he exited the slowing vehicle, he attempted to cross the central reservation on the 110 Freeway to reach the other side, seemingly trying to escape.
But just as the camera focused on him, he was fatally struck by a vehicle in the opposite lane moments after crossing the barrier.
This shocking incident was witnessed by both viewers and the anchors, causing TV reporter Juan Fernandez to exclaim: “Whoa, wow! Oh my god! Oh no! Oh no!”
Assignment editor Mike Rogers quickly advised the camera operator to pull back the shot.
“Stay wide, stay wide,” he instructed. “He got hit.”
Back in the studio, Fernandez was seen with his hand over his mouth, clearly in shock.
His co-anchor Suzie Suh provided clarification, stating: “We just saw the person who was being pursued get out of their car and actually get hit by another speeding car.”
According to KTLA 5, law enforcement confirmed the suspect was hit by at least two vehicles and died on the spot.
The man’s identity has not yet been released by the county medical examiner, but authorities confirmed he was a male in his 30s, according to the Daily Mail.
The Los Angeles Police Department reported that the pursuit began in Downtown LA shortly after 8:30 pm on Monday.
The suspect is believed to have stolen the van that officers were chasing.
Police also stated that the suspect ignored orders to pull over, leading to the high-speed pursuit that ended tragically.
An animal control unit was reportedly at the scene to remove a dog from the van, as stated by the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The LAPD has launched an investigation into the incident.