California Injury Blog
A 72-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal Westlake hit and run collision. According to a KTLA news report, Ramiro Vincente Torres was taken into custody the night of Aug. 27 after he was alleged to have fatally struck a woman earlier that morning on Wilshire Boulevard and Alvarado Street. The woman was crossing the boulevard early morning when the driver in a white pickup truck, later identified as Torres, hit her while traveling east.
Officials say the truck possibly had a green light as it went through the intersection. But, the driver did not stop to render aid after hitting the pedestrian, they said. Officials have not publicly identified the female victim, but say she was a 35 to 40-years-old. LAPD had released surveillance images of the pickup in hopes of tracking down the driver. Torres was booked on suspicion of felony hit and run. No further details were available.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased victim. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Leaving the Scene of a Crash
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the pickup truck may have had the green light at the intersection, but that he struck the woman and then, kept going. Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a), it is illegal to leave the scene of an injury or fatal crash, regardless of whose fault the accident was.
Motorists are required to stop immediately, wait at the scene until authorities arrive, exchange pertinent information with other parties involved in the incident, and most importantly, render aid to the injured victim. The medical attention victims get in the aftermath of a crash could determine whether or not they survive the crash.
Justice for Victims and Families
In such cases, families of deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver seeking compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering, and loss of love, care and companionship. An experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer will also be able to advise families about how their own auto insurance policy might apply in a case where the hit and run driver is not identified or in a case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Source: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/72-year-old-man-arrested-in-deadly-westlake-hit-and-run-crash-lapd/