LAUSD Teacher Under Investigation For Lewd Acts With A Child Crashes After Wild Pursuit
PALOS VERDES (CBS) — An LAUSD teacher under investigation for lewd acts with a child has been taken to the hospital following a police chase that ended with the suspect's truck flying off Crenshaw Boulevard and crashing near a Palos Verdes office building.
Fire crews had to extricate the driver from the vehicle, which came to rest on a hillside at Crenshaw Boulevard and North Indian Peak. After being trapped for about an hour, firefighters were able to cut the suspect out of his truck and take him to a hospital.
The suspect, who has been identified as Kip Arnold, a physical education teacher at Southeast Middle School, is under investigation for a lewd act with a minor, according to police. Arnold was stopped by Bell police in Lakewood. The suspect told officers he wanted to kill himself and took off, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said.
The chase had ended briefly at Pacific Coast Highway and Western in Torrance when an officer successfully performed the PIT maneuver on the suspect's truck, CHP Officer Harris told KNX 1070.
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The suspect's vehicle was spun around and crashed into the side of a big rig with such force, it shook the truck's trailer.
The suspect's truck was wedged into the big rig's trailer for a moment before the suspect pulled back out and continued to flee from pursuing officers.
Bell Police said they were investigating Arnold after a young girl came into the station last week to file a complaint of alleged lewd conduct against him.
The LAUSD issued the following statement after the pursuit:
"Officials of the Los Angeles Unified School District have been notified by the Bell Police Department of the arrest of Kip Arnold, a physical education teacher at Southeast Middle School, on suspicion of lewd behavior with a former student, and possibly additional victims. He has been with the District eight years. Past assignment include Nimitz Middle School, Gage Middle School and Orchard Academies 2B. The District is cooperating with the ongoing investigation."
