estimated police chases kill nearly 300 people a year. watch dog groups insist the real number is two to three times that many. law enforcement at its most dramatic and dangerous. in lubbock, texas, last week, a toddler was tossed from the window of a careening suv on the run from police. the child survived. over the weekend, this mercedes reached speeds of 100 miles an hour as it hurtled through the streets of hollywood. >> it happened really quick, coming up the road against traffic. he clipped this car and it flipped. then he hit a -- he was swerving towards me. i swerved out of his way. >> reporter: the vast majority are routine traffic stops gone awry. 90% of them nonviolent offenses. >> is out worth pursuing? who is going to be harmed? shall we let him go because otherwise we might jeopardize more lives? >> reporter: the california highway patrol, like police in many communities, recognizes the risk.