Motorcyclist Hits 115 MPH in High-Speed LA Police Chase Before Vanishing Downtown
LOS ANGELES — A late-night joyride through Los Angeles turned into a full-blown law enforcement operation Monday, when a motorcyclist with no visible license plate led California Highway Patrol and local authorities on a high-speed chase exceeding 115 mph — only to disappear into the downtown maze after more than an hour of pursuit.
The chase, captured live by aerial news crews, spanned several major freeways including the 110, 105, and 10, as well as surface streets through Downtown LA, Inglewood, and El Segundo.
From a Traffic Violation to a Citywide Pursuit
The incident began as a routine traffic stop over a missing rear plate. But the motorcyclist refused to pull over, sparking a chaotic pursuit that quickly escalated due to extreme speeds and evasive driving.
Throughout the chase, the suspect split freeway lanes, ran red lights, and even dropped off a passenger in a tunnel near downtown before continuing solo. Officers and two helicopters maintained visual contact for most of the pursuit — but the rider ultimately evaded capture after ducking into downtown side streets and possibly a parking garage.
Why Police Pulled Back
Despite the intense pursuit, CHP units repeatedly shifted into surveillance mode, backing off due to safety concerns. High-speed motorcycle chases are notoriously dangerous and often discouraged in urban areas unless there's suspicion of a violent felony.
“Even on empty freeways, one mistake at these speeds can turn deadly,” one helicopter pilot commented during the live broadcast.
Legal Consequences: Real Stakes Behind the Ride
Though the suspect was initially targeted for a minor vehicle code infraction, the charges he now faces are likely far more serious.
Under California Vehicle Code §2800.2, evading police with willful disregard for safety — especially at high speeds — can be charged as a felony, punishable by up to three years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
California defense attorney Elliot Silver explains on his firm’s site:
“Evading the police means that you are fleeing from the police in a vehicle while they are pursuing you. If you willfully evade the police, then you could be subject to harsh penalties under the law.”
While no injuries or property damage were reported during the chase, officers noted the reckless turns, wrong-way driving, and danger to the public posed by the motorcyclist, especially during the downtown leg of the pursuit.
A Game of Cat and Mouse — For What?
As one reporter remarked:
“This wasn’t just an escape attempt — it was a joyride. A dangerous one.”
At several points, officers had the opportunity to intercept, but the suspect slipped away each time. After almost 90 minutes of aerial tracking, the chase was called off when no visual contact could be reestablished.
CHP and the LA County Sheriff’s Department have not yet confirmed the identity of the rider, but the search continues.
