The driver behind the wheels of a flatbed truck that hit several vehicles in a chase from near the USC campus to Long Beach last week was charged with attempted murder and attempted carjacking.
Adam Bowen, 40, faces an 11 felony count in connection with Chase’s Friday, which ended with a crash in a paint store car park, leaving behind a damaged vehicle on Seventh Street in Long Beach. Bowen left the crash and was arrested a few blocks away, ending the devastating rampage.
Authorities say the series of crimes began Friday. The towing truck driver was injured in a conflict.
Prosecutors said Bowen stole flatbed trucks, leading to high-speed pursuits on highways and streets. The owner of the stolen truck said he was delivering car parts to the body shop at the time.
The driver of the stolen flatbed truck crashed into the car at the end of a chase in Long Beach. Video broadcast on NBC4 News on Friday, March 28th, 2025 at 4pm
At one point, the driver jumped over the curb and ran onto the sidewalk to avoid a car parked at the Pico Rivera intersection. The truck rubbed the fence before nearly hitting the bus at the intersection.
The driver then entered the Whittier 605 highway and returned to the highway on several streets in the community southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Drivers remained on the highways passing through Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, and other communities in southern Los Angeles County.
In Long Beach, a disastrous series of events unfolded on Seventh Street when a driver ploughed a car before arriving at an intersection and crashed in front of the Sherwin Williams Paint Store on Termino Avenue.
“This was a very reckless and brave act that put the lives of other drivers and pedestrians at risk that could have far more tragic consequences,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Hochman. “The tow truck driver was seriously injured as he tried to prevent it from being stolen, and the level of merciless neglect for public safety is unacceptable.
Bowen was charged on Wednesday with one count of attempted murder and carjacking each. Four count assault with a deadly weapon. Two hits and the run resulted in serious injuries. And then there are those who run away from the police vehicle they are pursuing, resisting the arrest of cars and grand theft.
The arrest was scheduled for Thursday.
If convicted, Bowen faces the maximum life sentence in a state prison.
One of the drivers whose car was attacked described the horrifying moment when he was attacked by a speeding truck.
“This guy is unrealistic. I’m about to die, or something is about to explode,” said Clarence Taylor, who was out of Veterans Long Beach Health Care Center. “The seat belts kept me.
“He just ran to the side and he continued. I thought his brakes were either not working or something. It was really violent.”
Taylor said his car was under a cement truck.
At least nine cars were involved in about four separate crashes near the end of the chase, leaving traces of crushed glass and other debris on the 7th street for the block.
At least three people were taken to hospital to treat their injuries after the collision along Seventh Street.
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