West Hills, CA — A quiet residential street in West Hills turned into a scene of high-speed chaos on the evening of March 21, 2022, at approximately 7:45 p.m., when a man using nitrous oxide (NOS) to boost his car’s performance lost control and plowed into a homeowner’s garage. The reckless crash, which occurred in the 7400 block of Sausalito Avenue, not only demolished the garage but also crushed a cherished classic car inside, leaving two suspects hospitalized and a neighborhood shaken. Watch the video here
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Topanga Division and Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded swiftly to reports of a vehicle crashing into a structure. Upon arrival, first responders found a heavily modified sedan embedded in the garage of a single-story home, its front end crumpled against a vintage classic car—a meticulously restored gem that was the pride of its owner. According to the LAPD’s preliminary investigation, the driver, allegedly using NOS to supercharge his vehicle’s engine, accelerated rapidly on the residential street, lost control, and veered into the property.
Two suspects, both adult males, were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. LAFD paramedics transported them to a local hospital—one with minor injuries, the other in stable condition, though specifics remain undisclosed pending further investigation. Miraculously, no residents were in the garage or injured, though the homeowner, who requested anonymity, expressed devastation over the loss of their classic car. “That car was my dad’s legacy,” they told reporters, surveying the wreckage. “It’s not just metal—it’s memories.”
The use of NOS, a performance-enhancing substance often associated with street racing, has raised alarms in West Hills, where narrow residential streets are ill-suited for such dangerous antics. LAPD investigators are examining whether the crash was part of an illegal street racing incident, with charges of reckless driving and possible drug-related offenses under consideration. The crash site, littered with debris and tire marks, was cordoned off for hours as crews cleared the scene and ensured the home’s structural integrity.
Neighbors described hearing a deafening roar before the impact, likening the sound to a “jet engine” tearing through the street. “It’s a miracle no one was walking their dog or out with their kids,” said resident Maria Lopez, who lives two doors down. The incident has reignited community calls for speed bumps and increased patrols to curb reckless driving in the area, a growing concern in the San Fernando Valley.
