Highland Park, CA - Suspected DUI Driver Crashes Into Parked Car After Brief LAPD Pursuit

Highland Park, California (September 29, 2026) - The Los Angeles Police Department said officers tried to stop a suspected DUI driver near York Boulevard and Figueroa Street at about 12:15 a.m., but the driver failed to yield.

After a brief pursuit, the driver lost control and crashed into a parked white Tesla in the 5000 block of North Figueroa Street, police said. Video from the scene showed two heavily damaged vehicles.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel treated the driver. The driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI, according to an LAPD spokesperson. The driver has not been identified.

It was unclear whether anyone was inside the parked car at the time of the crash or whether other injuries were reported.

This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.

Suspected DUI and Police Pursuit Crashes in Los Angeles, California

A crash involving a suspected drunk driver and a police pursuit can lead to more than one claim.

• Civil case runs separately: An arrest on suspicion of DUI is an allegation. A civil claim does not depend on the outcome of the criminal case.
• Who may be liable: The driver and the vehicle's owner, if different. When a pursuit is involved, attorneys also examine whether it followed the agency's policy and whether a public entity may share responsibility.
• Government claim deadline: If a public agency may be responsible, California requires a formal claim within six months (Govt. Code 911.2). For this crash, that deadline is March 29, 2027. Missing it generally bars a later lawsuit against the agency.
• Injury and property claims: Anyone hurt in the parked car may have an injury claim. The owner of a parked car that was struck may also recover repair costs.
• Evidence that disappears: Body camera footage, dash camera video, 911 recordings, and the parked car's onboard cameras and event data may be kept for a limited time.
• Filing deadline: This crash occurred on September 29, 2026. Personal injury claims against a private party must generally be filed within two years of the crash (CCP 335.1). That puts the deadline at September 29, 2028.

Steps that protect a claim right now:

• Photograph the damage and keep every repair estimate and medical record.
• Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
• Do not accept a settlement offer before speaking with an attorney.

Contact Our California Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

A crash in the middle of the night leaves people shaken, and sometimes hurt, by something they had no part in.

If a public agency may share responsibility, California gives you only six months to file a formal claim. Body camera footage, dash camera video, and 911 recordings are often kept for a limited time. A request to preserve them should go out early.

Our California drunk driving accident lawyers have recovered more than $200 million for clients, including multiple seven-figure civil rights recoveries against government agencies.

You pay nothing upfront, and we collect no fee unless we win your case.

Why Injured Clients Trust Christian Contreras Law:

• $200M+ recovered for clients
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Check Your Deadline: Call (866) 836-6588

Call today and an attorney will explain which deadlines apply to your situation.

Legal Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Incident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as the investigation continues. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any law enforcement or emergency response agency. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and no outcome is promised or implied.