The Region : Officer Kills Motorist During Chase

Los Angeles police shot and killed a motorist who they believed had run over officers during a chase from Hollywood to West Los Angeles. Lt. Charles Higbie said two officers pursued a speeding car driven by William L. Phillips, 38, of Los Angeles, but both cars were soon stuck in traffic. When the officers got out of their car to approach Phillips’ vehicle, the car lurched backward, Higbie said. One officer jumped out of the way, but Officer Mario Cruz said he believed that his partner had been run over and fired a shot as the car sped off again. Two other officers gave chase, and again both cars became stalled in traffic, Higbie said. Officers Shan McGee and Thomas Tenney then approached the car, but it sped up once again. McGee said he thought the driver had run over Tenney, Higbie said. McGee fired, fatally wounding Phillips, and his car crashed into the rear of another vehicle, Higbie said.