LOS ANGELES, CA – A California man is facing charges after allegedly hijacking a city bus and embarking on a dangerous joyride that ended with a crash into a renowned hotel.
The man, whose identity has not been released, is said to have commandeered a Los Angeles Metro bus by threatening the driver with what appeared to be a firearm. It was later discovered to be a BB gun.
Authorities say the suspect forced the driver to make several stops at various locations throughout the city. The unusual hostage situation led to the bus colliding with multiple vehicles as the driver was compelled to disregard traffic laws.
Eyewitness accounts and captured footage depict the bus running a red light at the intersection of West 11th Street and South Grand Avenue, where it was hit by another vehicle.
The incident culminated in a dramatic crash into the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on West Olympic Boulevard. The bus broke through the hotel’s wall, causing damage to a vault located inside.
Following the crash, the suspect attempted to flee but was soon apprehended by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department. Investigators believe the suspect may be homeless.
While no passengers were on board the Metro bus at the time of the hijacking, the driver and another motorist involved in a collision with the bus were transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.