Teen Dies in Encino After Police Chase Ends in Fiery Crash [Encino, CA]

ENCINO, CA (February 20, 2024) — A tragic event unfolded in Encino, Los Angeles, when a stolen Toyota driven by a 14-year-old unlicensed driver, attempting to evade police, crashed violently into a traffic pole, leading to a devastating fire. 

 

The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Ventura Boulevard when officers, noticing the vehicle with its headlights off, attempted to make contact. The driver accelerated away, resulting in a high-speed crash at the intersection of Ventura Boulevard and Balboa Avenue.

 

Los Angeles Police Department Captain Jeff Hollis stated that the officers chose not to pursue the vehicle, which was later engulfed in flames. In a valiant effort, officers managed to rescue two teenage girls from the blaze using batons and fire extinguishers. 

 

However, a third girl, seated in the back, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 14-year-old driver and an 18-year-old passenger were hospitalized in stable condition.

The aftermath of the Encino car crash leaves the community in mourning, with families grappling with the consequences of this reckless act. The car had been reported stolen by the driver’s family the night before, adding to the complexity of the situation.