A police chase in Los Angeles resulted in one death and other serious injuries after a motorcycle thief led law enforcement on a speedy pursuit that cost him his life.
According to reports, undercover officers attached to the Los Angeles Police Department had tailed a bike after something raised their suspicion. They ran the plates and realized it was stolen.
The suspect, Ruben Contreras Jr., fled after they attempted to pull him over.
CBS LA’s Sky2 Chopper showed him trying his best to evade the lawmen, hitting speeds well over 100 mph as he sped through Roscoe Boulevard, going through intersections without consideration for his life or that of anyone else.
The rider collided with a car attempting to make a left turn at the Roscoe Boulevard/Fallbrook Avenue intersection, which launched him several feet into the air. A CBS news anchor who was covering the chase live was heard shouting, “Oh my gosh!” after he was flung from the motorcycle.
You can see the crash in the clip below, but we warn that it’s graphic.
“Gonna have to shovel this guy into a coffin,” someone commented.
“Once again, the motorcyclist gets blamed prematurely. The car clearly cut him off by turning in front of him,” another wrote.
Once again, the motorcyclist gets blamed prematurely. The car clearly cut him off by turning in front of him. pic.twitter.com/B3Q7KfXCSi
— Nicholas (@vtnicholas) August 12, 2025
“Holy s**t. That was a tough one to watch,” said a third.
Holy shit. That was a tough one to watch.
— The Sean Mitchell (@TheSeanMitchell) August 12, 2025
“This is why news producers should never carry these live… or at least without a significant delay 7-15 seconds minimum. Who decided to take this live?” someone else suggested.
This is why news producers should never carry these live… or at least without a significant delay 7-15 seconds minimum. Who decided to take this live?
— David Roush (@dave_roush_nyc) August 12, 2025
“I saw the crash photos through one of my motorcycle forums…Guy was in multiple pieces,”
I saw the crash photos through one of my motorcycle forums…
Guy was in multiple pieces.
— Andy Stevens 🇺🇸 (@mrandystevens) August 12, 2025
Contreras was pronounced dead on the scene. The Coroner’s Office later attributed his death to blunt force injuries.
Two other people were injured but are expected to recover, as their injuries were not life-threatening.
