When Running from the Law Became Must-See TV
Car chases tap into something primal. Since helicopters started following police pursuits in the 1990s, we've watched these dramas unfold in real time, often with morbid fascination. Some chases became cultural touchstones, reshaping how we think about celebrity, justice, and the spectacle of live television. Here are twenty pursuits that transcended mere crime stories and became something iconic.
1. O.J. Simpson's White Bronco (1994)
Ninety-five million people watched Al Cowlings drive the white Ford Bronco down California freeways while Simpson sat in the back with a gun to his own head. The chase lasted nearly two hours, ending at Simpson's Brentwood estate.
2. The North Hollywood Shootout Getaway Attempt (1997)
Larry Phillips Jr. and Emil Mătăsăreanu robbed a Bank of America wearing full body armor and carrying automatic weapons. When police arrived, a 44-minute gun battle erupted. The robbers climbed into their getaway car, a white sedan, and attempted to flee while continuing to shoot at officers.
3. The Pizza Delivery Pursuit (2012)
A stolen car chase ended when the suspect jumped out, carjacked a Budget rental truck, crashed that, then stole a Dodge Caravan from a pizza delivery driver. The chase ended in a crash, and the suspect was arrested trying to flee on foot.
4. The 101 Freeway Wrong-Way Driver (2015)
A woman drove the wrong way on the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles for over 30 miles, reaching speeds of 100 mph while facing oncoming traffic. Dozens of cars swerved to avoid head-on collisions. She eventually crashed and was arrested.
5. The Slow-Speed RV Chase (2017)
A man in a stolen RV led police on a chase through Los Angeles, stopping occasionally to wave at helicopters and throw objects out the window. The pursuit lasted over three hours before he eventually surrendered.
6. Rodney King's Pursuit (1991)
King led the California Highway Patrol on a chase reaching 117 mph because he was on parole and feared going back to prison. When finally stopped, the subsequent beating by LAPD officers was filmed by George Holliday from his apartment balcony. The acquittal of the officers triggered the Los Angeles riots, which killed 63 people and caused over $1 billion in damage.
7. The Stolen Tank Rampage (1995)
Shawn Nelson stole an M60 Patton tank from a California Army National Guard armory and drove it through San Diego neighborhoods, crushing cars and utility poles. Nelson knocked down fire hydrants, crushed vehicles, and destroyed street signs. Police finally stopped him when the tank got stuck on a highway median.
8. The Horse Trailer Chase (2014)
A woman led police on a chase while towing a horse trailer with two horses inside. She drove erratically for miles, the trailer swaying dangerously. Animal control followed along with police, concerned for the horses' safety. She finally stopped when a tire blew out.
9. The Arizona Smuggling Pursuit (2008)
A pickup truck carrying dozens of undocumented immigrants fled from Border Patrol, reaching speeds over 100 mph on desert roads. People were visible, crowded in the truck bed and clinging to the sides. The driver eventually crashed, and passengers scattered in all directions across the desert.
10. The Dancing Suspect (2019)
A shirtless man led police on a chase through residential streets, stopping periodically to get out and dance in the middle of the road. He'd do a few moves, get back in the car, and continue driving. The pursuit lasted nearly an hour.
11. The Pursuit That Ended at In-N-Out (2012)
A suspect led police through Orange County before pulling into an In-N-Out Burger drive-through. He ordered food, paid, collected his meal, and attempted to drive away. Police blocked him in and arrested him while he still held his burger.
12. The Christmas Eve Chase (2018)
A man in a stolen UPS truck led Florida police on a rush-hour chase that ended in a shootout killing the driver and a bystander. The chase began after an armed robbery and hostage situation. Television news covered it live.
13. The Mobility Scooter Pursuit (2011)
A man on a mobility scooter fled from police in Australia at the vehicle's top speed of about 8 mph. Officers jogged alongside, unsure how to handle the situation. The "chase" lasted 30 minutes through suburban streets.
14. The Tractor Chase (2013)
A man stole a John Deere tractor and led police on a chase through farmland and eventually onto highways. Tractors max out around 25 mph, making for an exceptionally slow pursuit. The chase lasted over two hours before police used spike strips to flatten the tractor's massive tires.
15. The Naked Driver (2013)
One particularly memorable incident in Los Angeles in 2013 involved a completely nude woman leading police on a chase before climbing a tree. She stayed there for 90 minutes, occasionally posing for helicopters.
16. The Hearse Theft (2019)
A man stole a hearse with a body inside and led police on a chase through Los Angeles. The funeral home desperately tried to recover both the vehicle and the deceased. The suspect crashed after about 20 minutes.
17. The Police Impersonator Chase (2016)
A man driving a fake police car, complete with lights and sirens, was pursued by actual police through several counties. He'd been pulling people over and issuing fake tickets. When real officers tried to stop him, he fled at high speeds.
18. The Celebrity Chef Pursuit (2008)
A well-known chef led police on a chase after allegations of assault. The relatively short pursuit ended at his restaurant. Cameras were everywhere, and his arrest became tabloid fodder.
19. The Cow on the Loose (2017)
While not exactly a car chase, a runaway cow led police and animal control on a pursuit through Queens, New York. The cow dodged capture for hours, running through streets and parks. The cow, later named Freddie, was eventually captured and sent to an animal sanctuary.
20. The Pursuit That Launched Police Chases TV (1992)
Before O.J., before viral videos, there was the chase that proved Americans would watch police pursuits as entertainment. A routine felony stop in Los Angeles escalated into a high-speed chase that local news covered live. Within years, World's Wildest Police Videos and similar shows dominated cable.
