A woman whose car was being towed turned the tables on a tow truck driver Tuesday and drove off in his rig, triggering a chase that ended in a barefoot sprint alongside the 5 Freeway in Santa Fe Springs, according to police.
Los Angeles police Lt. Wayne Lightfoot of the Newton Station said the woman, whose name was not released, will likely be charged with grand theft auto.
The tow truck driver was about to hook up the woman's car at 38th Street and Grand Avenue when she got into the tow truck and drove off, Lightfoot said.
The tow truck driver got into the woman's car and followed his truck as she headed south, triggering an accident at Vermont and Vernon avenues, Lightfoot said.
It was unclear exactly what caused the woman to pull over on the shoulder of the freeway -- the truck hood flew open -- but the woman wasted no time in jumping out of the still-rolling flatbed truck.
The woman -- who was wearing a fitted, black, midriff-baring top and spandex shorts -- was soon caught by police, who surrounded her and tackled her at the guardrail. The arrest happened about 1:45 p.m. on the southbound 5 Freeway near Alondra Boulevard.
The tow truck sideswiped at least one other vehicle during the chase.
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The woman's name was unavailable "either because she was unable to provide it, severely mentally impaired or under the influence," Lightfoot said.
