3 teens in Mercedes suspected in Laguna Beach hit-and-run crashes
Three teenagers were detained by police after the Mercedes-Benz they were riding in crashed into a car and hit several parked vehicles Saturday in Laguna Beach, authorities said.
Police responded to a report of a hit-and-run at the intersection of Alexander Road and Ashton Drive at 9:52 a.m., Laguna Beach police Sgt. Tim Kleiser said.
A black Mercedes driven by a 17-year-old boy with two passengers crashed into a car and left the scene, Kleiser said.
The other motorist followed the Mercedes to Rounsevel Terrace, where the boy got out of the car to speak with the other driver, Kleiser said.
A 16-year-old girl in the Mercedes switched to the driver’s seat and tried to drive away, hitting several parked cars in the process, Kleiser said.
The boy ran after the car and climbed back into the driver’s seat, also hitting several parked cars as he drove away, Kleiser said.
Kleiser said he didn’t know whether anyone was injured in the crashes.
Police found the Mercedes at a Mobil gas station at Coast Highway and Broadway Street. A witness said officers drew their guns and searched the car.
A 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, both from Newport Beach, and a 15-year-old girl from Irvine were detained on suspicion of hit-and-run, unlicensed driving and possession of drugs and alcohol, Kleiser said. They were cited and released to their parents, he said.
According to Kleiser, the 16-year-old had taken the Mercedes from her mother the night before.
Twitter: @benbrazilpilot
