Horror moment lorry driver clinging to side of stolen vehicle is thrown off and crushed to death

A was thrown to the ground and crushed under the wheels of his own stolen vehicle as the thieves raced through city streets.

Horrifying footage shows the unnamed driver, 59, desperately clinging on as the thief drove at high speed around . As the two officers give chase, they are heard saying they can see the owner trying to hold on to the passenger side of the vehicle, as it twists and turns around a corner.

Tragically, he eventually lost his grip and fell to the tarmac and CCTV footage shows the moment the truck’s rear wheels ran him over. He is later seen rolling in agony.

READ MORE:

Police in the video are heard saying: “This might be a pursuit. He’s on the truck, he’s on the truck, get back up. The suspect is hanging off the vehicle.”

His partner then corrects him, saying it is the victim. They then tell dispatch they need an ambulance as the victim was seriously hurt.

LA Police Department's South Bureau Homicide office said the driver was rushed to hospital but died of catastrophic internal injuries. A second clip shows the suspect, named as Bryan Rodriguez, 33, being handcuffed by armed officers beside the stopped truck.

Police later said in a statement: "The victim attempted to intercede and hung on to the truck as Rodriguez drove away. Multiple 911 calls were made as the vehicle was observed driving southbound through South Los Angeles with the victim still hanging on the side.

"Eventually, officers encountered the truck still driven by Rodriguez near Florence Avenue and Broadway. The truck drove away from officers, and the victim fell from the vehicle. After falling, the victim was run over by the truck as Rodriguez was driving it."

Rodriguez was arrested and booked at the 77th Area Jail where he is being held without bail facing murder and carjacking charges.