On Jan. 4 just after 1 p.m., the Glendale Police Dept. received calls for service regarding a traffic collision on the 1100 block of East Doran Street. While Glendale PD patrol personnel were enroute to the location, they were advised that the vehicle fled the incident location and proceeded to sideswipe several parked vehicles. The witnesses stated the driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

Officers located the suspect vehicle in a parking lot on the 200 block of North Verdugo Road and attempted to make a traffic enforcement stop but the driver, later identified as 51-year-old Douglas Luka of Westfield, New Jersey, exited the business parking lot initiating a vehicle pursuit.

Luka proceeded to drive over 50 miles per hour north on Chevy Chase Drive where he turned onto Glenoaks Boulevard and collided with a curb causing his vehicle to become airborne and eventually land upside-down partially on a sidewalk. The vehicle quickly began to smoke, but GPD officers already on scene were able to extinguish the fire.

Luka exited the vehicle and was transported to a hospital due to the severity of the collision. Officers located 13 miniature bottles of vodka inside of the vehicle Luka was driving.

Luka was arrested and booked for evading, driving under the influence, and for the hit and run accidents he was involved in.