1 killed, 3 hurt when L.A. sheriff’s deputies hit pedestrians while responding to call

Two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and a man were injured Thursday night after the deputies hit a vehicle in West Hollywood while responding to a call, then struck two pedestrians, killing one.

The deputies were responding to a domestic violence call about 11:08 p.m. and had the lights and sirens on as they headed east in the 8800 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, sheriff’s Cmdr. Keith Swensson told reporters.

As the patrol cruiser approached Palm Avenue, it clipped a vehicle in the roadway, careened onto the sidewalk and struck two pedestrians who were walking in the area, Swensson said. The cruiser continued moving and struck a light pole and tree.

The male pedestrians were struck and taken to an area hospital, where one of them died. The other man suffered serious injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening, Swensson said.

Firefighters had to cut through the cruiser to rescue one of the deputies, who was described as a four-year sheriff’s veteran. The other deputy, who was a passenger, was able to exit the cruiser on his own.

The deputies were seriously injured and are in stable condition. Their identities were not released.

The California Highway Patrol is conducting an independent investigation to determine what caused the crash.

Both directions of Santa Monica Boulevard between San Vincente Boulevard and Hancock Avenue were closed as investigators collected evidence. The road was expected to be closed until 10:30 a.m.

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