Police are seeking a suspected hit-and-run driver in a deadly collision that killed two people identified as 15-year-old Angie Ruiz and Lester Larios, 55, both of Bell. According to media reports, the collision occurred the afternoon of March 26, 2016 at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and El Paseo Street, just south of the city border that separates South Gate and Bell Gardens. Both Ruiz and Larios were pronounced dead at the scene. Five others were injured.
Tragic Collision
Police say a white Mitsubishi was turning to the entrance of the Town Center Plaza shopping mall when a Mercedes was driving fast and struck the Mitsubishi. Police say speed was a factor in the collision. Officials are looking into whether one of the drivers ran a red light. The driver of the Mercedes, identified as 22-year-old Bryan Rojas, fled on foot and remains at large.
He apparently suffered an injury to the forehead in this collision. He was described as Hispanic, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, facial acne and a beard. Anyone with information about the incident or Rojas’ whereabouts was asked to call the South Gate Police Department at 323-563-5400.
We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family members and friends of Angie Ruiz and Lester Larios. We also wish the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Holding Hit-and-Run Drivers Accountable
Motorists have a legal obligation to stop immediately after an injury crash and remain at the scene until authorities arrive. They are also required to exchange pertinent information with other parties involved in the collision and most importantly, render aid to the injured. Based on this news report, the driver of the Mercedes did none of the above. Instead, he fled on foot leaving two people dead on the street. Outrageous!
If you have lost a loved one in a hit-and-run crash, please contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney who will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that your legal rights and best interests are protected. A knowledgeable car accident attorney will also be able to advise you regarding how the uninsured motorist clause of your auto insurance policy might apply to a hit-and-run crash where the driver has not been apprehended or in a case where the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured.