California Injury Blog
Francisco Rosas Garcia, 58, was struck and killed in a Boyle Heights pedestrian accident that involved a hit-and-run driver.
According to a news report, the fatal collision occurred on the night of April 2 in the area near Whittier Boulevard and Esperanza Street. LAPD officials said Garcia was walking northbound in the crosswalk on Esperanza when he was struck by a westbound Ford Fusion that fled the scene.
Driver Turned Himself In After Fatal Boyle Heights Crash
Paramedics who arrived pronounced Garcia dead at the scene. The coroner’s report stated that Garcia died of multiple blunt force injuries when he was struck by the vehicle. LAPD officials said 23-year-old Juan Francisco Ramirez turned himself in to police on the night of April 11 after admitting that he was the driver who struck Garcia. Ramirez was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run. The Ford Fusion involved in the collision was also recovered and impounded as evidence.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of Rosas Garcia for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Leaving the Scene of a Crash
Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a), it is illegal to leave the scene of an injury or fatal crash. In this case, the driver turned himself in a couple of days after the incident. While it was the right thing to do, he will still be charged with a felony crime because he failed to stop immediately, wait for authorities to arrive, and render aid to the injured victim, as the law requires from all California motorists.
It also appears that Ramirez struck Garcia when he was walking in a marked crosswalk, which is another violation of the California Vehicle Code. We trust officials are looking into why Ramirez failed to yield the right of way to the pedestrian.
Justice for Victims’ Families
In such cases, families of deceased victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer who has experience successfully handling hit-and-run and wrongful death claims. If a dangerous roadway caused or contributed to this accident, in addition to the driver, the governmental entity responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held accountable. Please remember that any claim against a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the incident.
Source: https://www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhoods/boyle_heights/boyle-heights-hit-and-run-suspect-surrenders/article_68ae81cc-b52e-11ec-adc2-8b568dfad637.html