A chaotic scene was captured on video Wednesday in a Gardena neighborhood when a member of the Los Angeles Count Fire Department was attacked by a woman who then crashed an Audi at high speed into at least two vehicles during a brief pursuit.
The 36-year-old woman was arrested after the violent series of events around 1 p.m. in the 2600 block of Manhattan Beach Boulevard, between Crenshaw Boulevard and Van Ness Avenue. Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel stopped to assist the woman involved in an altercation with a man in the neighborhood.
Investigators later identified the woman as 36-year-old Jessica Chavez, of Inglewood.
"Minutes before the arrival of Gardena police officers, Los Angeles County fire personnel saw Chavez in an altercation with an unknown male," police said in a statement. "They stopped to assist her. While sitting in their vehicle and talking to her, Chavez became irate, physically hitting the firefighter and fleeing the scene."
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Frank Rojas started recording video when he heard the commotion.
"It was really just a lot of physical on her end," said Rojas. "Just hitting the car. Hitting the car window. The person in the car was just trying to calm here down.
Chavez briefly left the area before officers, who happened to be driving by, pulled over to assist the fire personnel moments before she returned. The officers spoke with Chavez, but she fled again in a white Audi sedan, prompting a vehicle pursuit.
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"While driving west on Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Chavez collided with a Gardena police undercover vehicle and a Los Angeles County fire SUV," police said.
Chavez was booked on suspicion of assault on a firefighter/EMT, assault with a deadly weapon and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
No major injuries were reported.
City News Service contributed to this report.
