Bella Terra Car Accident: 3 Injured After Car Crashes Inside Kohl’s Store at Bella Terra Mall in Huntington Beach
Bella Terra Car Accident
A shocking car accident unfolded on Friday night at the Bella Terra Mall in Huntington Beach, leaving three people injured after a suspected DUI driver crashed into a Kohl’s department store. The incident, which took place just after 7:50 p.m., has sparked an ongoing investigation as authorities grapple with the aftermath.
The unsettling incident transpired in front of the Kohl’s store, located in the 7700 block of Edinger Avenue. Eyewitnesses described the harrowing moment when a red truck, driven by the suspected DUI driver, plowed through the store’s entrance.
Pursuit and Apprehension
The impact of the crash was severe, but the situation escalated when the driver attempted to flee the scene in the same red truck. Quick-thinking police officers immediately initiated a pursuit, resulting in a chase that ended just a short distance from the crash site. Law enforcement used a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to safely stop the vehicle. During this intervention, the fleeing truck careened into a light pole and came to a halt on the sidewalk.
Injuries and Eyewitness Accounts
Three individuals were injured during this catastrophic incident, although their injuries are reported as non-life-threatening. One of the victims, part of a group of singers performing in front of Kohl’s at the time, had a particularly harrowing experience. Chris Ring, one of the singers, recounted the terrifying moment.
“A truck drove up onto the curb, stopped, and some of the spectators watching us perform saw the truck and said, ‘Hey, get out of here,'” Ring stated. “The truck accelerated and drove towards us, struck one of our singers, and carried our singer straight through the front doors and into the store.”
Arrest and Investigation
The authorities promptly arrested the male driver, whom they believe was driving under the influence at the time of the accident. The investigation into the incident continues, with law enforcement working to determine the full extent of the circumstances that led to this shocking collision.
As the investigation unfolds, the Bella Terra Mall community grapples with the aftermath of this unexpected tragedy. Our thoughts are with the injured victims, and we await further updates on this developing story.
