Insets: Authorities report that Juan Luis Estrada was captured on surveillance footage striking several pedestrians with a stolen Toyota Camry (Culver City Police Department). Background: The chaotic aftermath at a McDonald’s drive-thru where Juan Luis Estrada allegedly crashed the hijacked vehicle (KABC/YouTube).
A terrifying carjacking spree in California has left eight people injured, including a teenage victim who was “launched” and narrowly escaped death. The incident reached a dramatic conclusion with a crash at a McDonald’s drive-thru.
“It’s shocking how life can change in an instant,” remarked Brandon Mendez, 19, in an interview with local ABC news outlet KABC, as he recounted the harrowing Culver City carjacking pursuit that led to his hospitalization.
Mendez recalled his initial disbelief as he witnessed the vehicle running through red lights, stating, “I thought nothing of it at first. I moved aside, but even then, the car swerved and still managed to hit me.”
This revelation to KABC comes nearly a month after police apprehended Juan Luis Estrada, 45, of Perris. He faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, carjacking, felony evading, battery, and resisting arrest, in connection with the Camry’s violent journey.
Estrada carjacked a white Toyota Camry at knifepoint in downtown Los Angeles on June 16 and then got into a “hit-and-run collision” near Centinela Avenue and Washington Boulevard in Culver City that injured four pedestrians, according to a police press release.
Estrada “fled the scene without stopping,” the release says.
“While officers were responding to that collision, another hit-and-run was reported in the 3800 block of Sepulveda Boulevard, where the same vehicle struck another motorist and again fled,” police allege.
As officers investigated the incidents, information came in through witness statements, the vehicle’s license plate, and Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology that helped officers locate Estrada in Culver City.
At around 7:26 p.m., officers located Estrada near Centinela Avenue and attempted to stop him. Estrada allegedly refused to yield and fled eastbound on Culver Boulevard, initiating a pursuit.
“During the pursuit, officers observed the suspect drive with an extreme disregard for public safety,” police say. “The suspect traveled at high speeds, ran multiple red lights, drove into opposing lanes of traffic, and weaved recklessly around other vehicles. Officers also observed the suspect repeatedly steer toward pedestrians who were in or near the roadway.”
Police believe Estrada was “intentionally attempting to strike pedestrians” that night. At least eight people were injured during his rampage.
“The suspect’s actions created a clear and immediate danger to community members and demonstrated a complete disregard for human life,” police say.
Recounting how he was struck, Mendez told KABC, “I was hit, and I was launched pretty far. They caught him moving at 80 mph.”
Estrada was allegedly caught on surveillance video striking multiple people with the stolen Camry, including Mendez. A GoFundMe launched by Mendez’s sister says “the impact sent Brandon flying 20 feet, causing him to lose his belongings and leaving him with life-threatening injuries.”
Mendez suffered severe internal bleeding, spinal and cerebral fractures and a chipped tooth, and he had his spleen removed, KABC reports. His aorta was also torn and he now has a stent “to help him recover,” according to Mendez’s sister.
“I can’t lift more than 25 pounds right now,” Mendez told KABC.
Estrada’s evening onslaught finally ended at a McDonald’s in the 200 block of Washington Boulevard, according to police.
“[Estrada] collided head-on with another vehicle in [the McDonald’s] drive-thru lane,” cops allege. “[Estrada] exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended by pursuing officers.”
Police say “additional charges are anticipated as detectives continue reviewing evidence, surveillance footage, and witness statements.”
The post Chaos in McDonald’s drive-thru line as carjacker slams into people waiting for food, teen ‘launched’ 20 feet and 7 others injured during evening Camry rampage: Cops first appeared on Law & Crime.