Driver slams into South Los Angeles church before fleeing

FLORENCE, Calif. (FOX 11) - A driver who slammed into a church in the Florence neighborhood of South Los Angeles was being sought Friday by police.

An SUV plowed into the side of the Challenge of Faith Church around 1:30 a.m., located at 1001 Manchester Avenue. The vehicle crashed into the corner of the building and destroyed a back pew.

No injuries were reported.

Officials said it was not the first time a vehicle has struck the church. In 2005, a vehicle slammed into the building, forcing the congregation to worship in another location for a year while the church was being renovated.

"It's an ongoing problem because they race up and down this street, and there's a big dip on Manchester and Central," Challenge of Faith Church Deacon Alex Wynn said. "I think what happens if they're speeding is they come up and they get airborne and then they're trying to get back in control and they end up over here."

Officials said the church has been in the neighborhood for 35 years.

Anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run was asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department.