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Crime & Safety

Driver Arrested After High-Speed Chase

Pursuit with suspected drunk driver that began in Burbank ends on Franklin Avenue under 101 Freeway.

A four-freeway police chase ended in Hollywood with a Mercedes-Benz driver suspected of being high on heroin rear-ending an SUV, causing both to overturn.

The suspect driver, Vardan Aslanyan, 29, of Burbank, was talking to members of the news media in the aftermath of the Friday night collision on Franklin Avenue where the Hollywood (101) Freeway crosses over it.

 “I would never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever disrespect law enforcement when they chase me, because I would not run,'' he told KFI radio, calling himself an artist. “Running is not a good thing,'' he said, calling himself “Truth'' -- his Twitter handle -- as he was taken away in handcuffs.

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The chase, carried on live television, exceeded 100 mph at times. It started in Burbank shortly before 8 p.m. and lasted about 45 minutes, covering parts of the Golden State (5), Ronald Reagan (118) and Hollywood (170) freeways. Ultimately, the driver exited the southbound Hollywood (101) Freeway at Highland Avenue and collided with the SUV on Franklin.

A 3-year-old boy in the SUV was taken to a hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics to be checked out, but Burbank police Sgt. Daniel Mayreis said no one appeared to be seriously hurt.

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The SUV driver said he was visiting from Miami.

“I saw a car coming at me and I kind off swerved off to avoid him and he hit me in the back, as you can see, and then we just rolled over -- I don't know how many times.'' he told reporters at the scene. ``We were upside down and all I remember right now was watching my son hanging from the car seat.''

Aslanyan was expected to be booked for driving under the influence of an illegal drug, reckless driving causing an injury and felony evading arrest, Mayreis said. Arresting officers believed he was high on heroin, he said.

Asked if he realized he put people in danger, he said, ``Do you realize I need help and I got swiped?''

He said he fled police because he wants to “go back home and live good.''

He said he had been jailed before and didn't care that he would soon be behind bars again.

Mayreis said Aslanyan would be booked at the Burbank jail.

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