“I couldn’t believe that happened right in front of us”, explained LA County Sheriff’s Deputy Grehtel Brazile. Fortunately, Brazile and her partner, Deputy Joseph Fernandez, were in the right place, at the right time. On Friday, June 28th, at approximately 3:34 PM, the two Transit Service Bureau (TSB) Deputies were waiting to complete a left turn from northbound Broadway to westbound 5th Street, when they both saw a Black SUV that was traveling north on Broadway, veer into the traffic waiting at a red signal on westbound 5th Street. The SUV struck a van before coming to rest at a block wall. However, the Driver of the SUV then began to back up, striking yet another vehicle, before running down several pedestrians on the sidewalk, and ending up crashing through the large windows of a store.
Both Brazile and Fernandez are part of the Sheriff’s Transit Services Bureau, High Impact Team (HIT). They were returning to the 5th Street and Hill Street entrance of the Metro Pershing Square
Red Line Station, to join the other team members to conduct a saturation operation. When they saw the grizzly collision, they immediately put out an emergency radio broadcast requesting additional units as well as paramedic personnel. Deputy Fernandez noticed that the Driver of the SUV appeared to be trying to leave the scene when he put the SUV in reverse and caused even more carnage. As Brazile went to check on the status of the victims, Fernandez went to check on the driver. Fernandez said, “He was conscious, but appeared dazed. He didn’t look like he had any major injuries.” The unidentified Driver was detained by the deputies for investigation. LAPD units, LA City Fire/Paramedics, and the other members of the TSB HIT Team arrived to assist with assessing the victims, and dealing with the traffic gridlock at the busy downtown intersection on a “get away” Friday afternoon.
Miraculously, the only person who sustained serious injury was an employee of the store that the SUV crashed through. That employee was trapped under the SUV for a time, but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening. It’s easy to see that had Deputies Brazile and Fernandez not literally been right next to the accident, the outcome could have been much worse. Deputy Brazile stated, “Even though you don’t normally see things happen right in front of you, it’s really what we train for. I’m just glad we could help those people who really needed us quickly.”
LAPD units took custody of the Driver, and placed him under arrest for driving under the influence. It was later learned that the driver was returning from having oral surgery under general anesthesia, and was told not to drive. According to the LA Times, the Driver was later cited to appear in court.
The Transit Services Bureau, is the unit of the LA County Sheriff’s Department that contacts with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to provide police services to it’s more than one million riders daily.
Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local sheriff’s station or police department. Or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Please remember, if you SEE SOMETHING that you believe is suspicious or doesn’t look right to you, SAY SOMETHING by calling: (888) 950-SAFE (7233), or your local police department. You can also use the Transit Watch LA App, to report crime or advise of something/someone suspicious. The App can be downloaded at the Apple App Store, or on Google Play for Android Devices. http://transitwatchla.org/ (remember though, calling is always best!!)
For media inquiries please contact:
L.E.T. Ramon Montenegro, Unit PIO
Transit Services Bureau HQ
Homeland Security Division
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Ofc.: (213) 922-3649
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @TSBLASD
http://transitwatchla.org/
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Address/Location
LASD - Transit Services Bureau H.Q., Los Angeles County Sheriff
One Gateway Plaza, M/S 99-PL-15
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: (888) 950-SAFE (7233)
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