A man suspected of driving drunk at a speed of 80 to 100 mph when he plowed into six parked vehicles in Historic South-Central L.A., ejecting and injuring one of his passengers before fleeing the scene, was arrested hours after the early Sunday morning crash, police said.
Police clarified on Monday that the person sustained severe injuries but survived.
Wilfredo Vaquiz Escobar was driving his 2017 white Honda Accord carrying six passengers southbound along South Central Avenue approaching East 33rd Street when the driver lost control and crashed around 2:40 a.m., according to a Los Angeles Police Department news release.
The wreck was captured on surveillance video that shows the suspect vehicle spinning completely around at least four times as it whips across a street. Escobar was found at his South L.A. home and arrested around 8 a.m.
One of the passengers inside the Honda was ejected from the car and “skidded about 80 feet” before landing in the number two lane that runs along an area of Central just north of 33rd Street, the release states.
Video capturing the DUI Collision at 33rd St&Central Av @LAPDNewton @LAPDGaryWalters @KCBSKCALDesk @NBCLA @KTLAnewsdesk @ABC7 @FOXLA @TelemundoLA @univisionla @EstrellatvLA @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/nOMhsoKsRY
— LAPDCTD (@LAPDCTD24) February 17, 2019
Escobar’s car ended up on the wrong side of the street when it smashed into a sixth vehicle, police said. The vehicles were left severely damaged or totally destroyed.
Meanwhile, as authorities descended upon the scene, Escobar fled in “an apparent attempt” to hide the fact that he was drunk, police said in the news release.
Photos released by police show a silver vehicle seemingly crumbled, with its rear completely smashed in and only the front end left somewhat intact as debris and car parts can be seen strewn all over the road.
DUI driver arrested. Collided with 4 parked vehs, causing 1 passengers to be ejected from the veh @ 33rd St&Central Av @LAPDNewton,&sustained head trauma when landing on the street. 2nd passenger suffered head trauma in the veh. Email Det Castillo 30215@lapd.online 4 questons. pic.twitter.com/NDFIlOwQVp
— LAPDCTD (@LAPDCTD24) February 17, 2019
Escobar was booked on suspicion of felony DUI causing injuries with his bail set at $100,000, according to police. He will be arraigned on Wednesday.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the people who lost their vehicles in the crash and other victimized.
Anyone with information about the deadly crash can contact Detective Moss Castillo at 213-833-3713 or by email at 30215@lapd.online.
Calls during non-business hours can be directed to 877-527-3247 and anonymous tips can be submitted by reaching L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visiting lapdonline.org.
Update of Felony DUI Hit&Run in @LAPDNewton see press release @KNX1070 @FOXLA @EstrellatvLA @NBCLA @KTLAnewsdesk @ABC7 @Univision34LA @KCBSKCALDesk @telemundola @LAPDGaryWalters @LAPDRIMKUNAS pic.twitter.com/dOvIA1F5MO
— LAPDCTD (@LAPDCTD24) February 18, 2019
Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the condition of the victim and the date on which the crash occurred. The post has been updated.