Police Chase Turns Deadly in Los Angeles

Los Angeles:  A 59-year-old man is dead after a police chase in the Central Area of Los Angeles  took a deadly turn on Thursday, March 12, 2009.
The chase began around 5:30 a.m. when officers tried to pull over Samuel Richardson in a dark- colored SUV for his suspected involvement in an assault with a deadly weapon and a hit and run incident near 4th Street and Central Avenue.
Richardson led police on a low speed televised chase through downtown.  During the chase, Richardson intentionally rammed several squad cars that were responding to the scene.  A Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver that was used in an attempt to stop Richardson’s vehicle, proved unsuccessful.  A short time later, Richardson tried to make a U-turn on 4th Street and then drove south on San Pedro.  An additional PIT maneuver caused Richardson’s vehicle to spin.  Richardson accelerated his vehicle and rammed another police vehicle.  The impact of his vehicle pinned an officer inside his squad car leaving him trapped.  Richardson repeatedly rammed his SUV into the trapped officer’s car, and an officer involved shooting occurred.
Richardson was pronounced dead at the scene.  Four officers were injured during the incident and taken to local hospitals where they were treated and released.
There were four officers involved in the shooting.  Their names are Sergeant Alcenda Neal, 15 years with the Department and Officers Jose Galvez, Hector Tejada and William Johnson, all having 2 years with the Department.
Force Investigation Division will investigate the shooting.