A police pursuit in South Los Angeles ended in tragedy on the evening of May 23, 2026, when a fleeing Tesla driver slammed into a Mercedes-Benz, killing the other vehicle’s driver. The chase began just before 9 p.m. when a 77th Street patrol unit spotted the Tesla driving recklessly northbound on Figueroa Street near 61st Street. Officers tried to pull the driver over, but instead of stopping, the driver took off, kicking off a pursuit that would only last about a minute before officers lost sight of the vehicle due to its speed.
Losing a suspect that fast is never a great sign, and this situation proved it. While officers were still working the area, they came across what appeared to be the same Tesla having struck a bicyclist. They stopped to help, but the cyclist reportedly didn’t want assistance and left the scene before anyone could get more information. It’s a strange twist in an already chaotic night, and it’s one of those details that reminds you how quickly these situations can spiral into multiple incidents at once.
Not long after, a separate patrol unit responding to the original pursuit spotted the same Tesla speeding westbound on Slauson Avenue near Vermont Avenue. The officers made a U-turn to follow, and moments later watched the Tesla crash into a Mercedes-Benz at the intersection of Slauson and Denker Avenues. The driver got out and ran, but officers caught up with him and made the arrest without further incident.
The driver has been identified as 23-year-old Tamajai Dampeer, according to Hoodline, who now faces a felony evading charge under California Vehicle Code Section 2800.3, specifically for causing the death of another person while fleeing from police.
It’s one of the more serious charges tied to reckless evasion, and for good reason given how the night ended.
A Life Lost at the Intersection
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the crash scene and worked to save the driver of the Mercedes-Benz, but they were unable to revive him. His identity has not been released publicly at this time.
The Mayor’s Crisis Response Team and LAPD’s Family Liaison Unit were also called in to support those affected, which is standard practice for incidents involving a death.
How the Pursuit Unfolded
What stands out about this chase is how brief the actual pursuit portion was. LAPD ended active pursuit after roughly a minute once the Tesla’s speed made it too dangerous to continue following directly.
That’s often how these situations go. Officers make a judgment call to protect public safety, but the driver’s decisions afterward still carry weight and consequences.
What Happens Next
Dampeer is now in custody and facing the felony charge tied to the fatal crash.
As with most cases like this, more details are likely to emerge as the investigation continues, including toxicology results, additional witness statements, and any surveillance or dash-camera footage from the pursuit itself.