Culver City, CA (June 17, 2026) – Six pedestrians were struck on Tuesday evening June 16, after a driver led police on a dangerous chase through Culver City and into Los Angeles, and finally ended in a crash at Olive Street and Washington Boulevard at a McDonald’s drive-thru.
The pursuit began around 7 p.m. after Culver City police attempted to stop a vehicle connected to a carjacking. The driver ran red lights, traveled on the wrong side of the road, and appeared to be intentionally targeting pedestrians during the chase, according to a Culver City police spokesperson. Two pedestrians were hit before the pursuit began; four more were struck as the suspect fled.
The extent of injuries to the six people hit was not confirmed in the initial report. Multiple other vehicles were also hit during the chase. The pursuit ended when the driver crashed at a McDonald’s drive-thru, where officers took him into custody.
A police officer was also hurt at the conclusion of the chase, though their injuries were reported as non-life-threatening and the officer was listed in stable condition. The suspect was taken to a hospital with minor injuries and now faces multiple charges.
Authorities are continuing to examine the full scope of the wreck and the events that led to it.
We hope all six pedestrians and the injured officer make complete and rapid recoveries.
Do Civilians Injured in a Police Chase Have Legal Rights in Culver City, CA?
Yes, civilians hurt during a police pursuit in California have the right to pursue compensation, and the path to do so can involve more than one responsible party. The driver being chased carries direct liability for any harm caused by their reckless conduct.
Under California Vehicle Code Section 17004.7, law enforcement agencies can be held liable if they failed to adopt or follow a written pursuit policy. This policy is a formal, agency-wide document that sets out the specific conditions under which officers are authorized to initiate or continue a vehicle pursuit.
It covers factors such as the severity of the suspected offense, road and traffic conditions, the presence of pedestrians, and whether the risks of continuing the chase outweigh the benefit of apprehending the suspect.
When a chase moves through commercial and residential streets like those connecting Culver City to Los Angeles, the risk to bystanders escalates quickly. California courts have recognized that police pursuits through urban areas create foreseeable danger to innocent people, and that this foreseeability is relevant when evaluating an agency’s decision to continue a chase.
When the driver being chased is the primary cause of a victim’s injuries, a personal injury claim can be filed directly against that individual. In California, this type of claim is subject to a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the crash; but victims should not wait that long to act.
A personal injury lawyer can help identify all sources of recovery tied to the driver’s conduct, including their auto insurance policy, any third-party vehicle owner liability, and in some cases, umbrella coverage.
If you were hurt as a bystander during a police pursuit in Culver City or the surrounding area, Saleh Law Group can help you understand what rights you may have. We can review the details of your case and explain to you what next steps could be possible given your circumstances.
We invite you to reach Saleh Law Group at (949) 431-6371 to speak with our team about your Culver City pedestrian accident case.
