A man arrested for stealing a truck and crashing into several cars during a high-speed chase in Los Angeles County last Friday is facing 11 felony charges, including attempted murder, the district attorney announced.
The chase unfolded on live television and ended with a violent, multi-car pileup at an intersection in Long Beach.
On Thursday, the L.A. County district attorney announced that Adam James Bowen, 40, has been charged with one count of attempted murder and carjacking, four counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of hit-and-run resulting in serious injury, and one count each of fleeing a pursuing police officer’s vehicle, resisting arrest, and grand theft of an automobile.
DA Nathan Hochman said Bowen first carjacked a tow truck operator and then attempted to run him down with his own vehicle. The victim “suffered major injuries,” Hochman said.
Hours later, Bowen allegedly stole a white flatbed truck.
The pursuit began near the University of Southern California, and the suspect sped through several communities, colliding with innocent drivers in his attempt to get away.
In Long Beach, Sky5 footage showed the driver sideswiping several cars and then running a red light at the intersection of E. 7th Street and Termino Avenue, where the truck slammed into two other vehicles and then rolled into a parking lot.
The suspect then stumbled out of the vehicle and casually walked down the street before several officers tackled him on the sidewalk.
“This was an extremely reckless and brazen act that endangered the lives of other drivers and pedestrians and could have resulted in a far more tragic outcome,” Hochman said in a statement. “The level of callous disregard for public safety is unacceptable, and we will vigorously pursue justice for all of the victims in this case.”
If convicted on all counts, Bowen faces the possibility of life in prison.
