Press Releases

06/19/01
Suspect critically injured in vehicle collision
 

Joshua Kakalia, a twenty-three year old Redondo Beach resident sustained critical injuries in a vehicular crash while fleeing from Redondo Beach Police units. He is in critical condition at Harbor General Hospital following multiple collisions with objects and a parked vehicle in the area of Rosecrans and Hindry in the City of Hawthorne. Kakalia is suspected of felony evading, possession of marijuana and driving under the influence.

On June 19, 2001, at about ten minutes after midnight, a Redondo Beach officer assigned to Driving Under the Influence Enforcement saw the driver of a silver convertible Mazda Miata speeding west on 190th Street from Inglewood Avenue without the headlights illuminated. The officer estimated the speed of the vehicle at about sixty miles per hour in a posted thirty-five mile per hour zone.  The officer attempted to follow the vehicle but lost sight of it in the area of Beryl and Flagler.  Approximately nine minutes later a second officer saw a convertible silver Mazda Miata fail to stop for a stop sign at Vail and Robinson, several miles from the first sighting. He estimated the speed of the vehicle at sixty miles per hour in a twenty-five mile per hour residential zone.

The officer activated his lights and siren and pursued the vehicle north on Rindge Lane. The vehicle failed to stop for multiple stop signs and red traffic lights and fled north on Aviation Blvd.  The driver again eluded the pursuing officer who terminated the pursuit.  Moments later the officer observed the vehicle leaving private property on Aviation Blvd. south of Rosecrans.  The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, and the vehicle fled north to Rosecrans and east, accelerating to an estimated eighty miles per hour.  As Kakalia approached a red traffic signal at Hindry Street, he attempted to pass stopped vehicles on the right. Kakalia appeared to lose control of the vehicle and struck the curb, a light pole, a planter and newspaper rack. Witnesses reported that the vehicle flipped several times after the initial collision and landed on top of a parked vehicle. Kakalia was ejected from the vehicle, and the vehicle came to rest on its wheels. 

Emergency workers at the scene detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage on Kakalia’s breath and found approximately a half ounce of a green leafy substance that resembled marijuana on his person.  Charges are pending following further investigation.

Lieutenant Joe Leonardi prepared this press release. Further questions should be directed to Sergeant Phil Keenan at 310-379-2477 extension 2309.