California Injury Blog
A pedestrian struck by a vehicle on a major thoroughfare in Van Nuys died from his injuries on February 27.
According to a report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the man was crossing Sepulveda Boulevard north of Victory Boulevard when he was hit by a southbound vehicle. The driver fled the scene. Paramedics pronounced the pedestrian dead at the scene. He was identified as 49-year-old Enrique Aponte.
LA Hit and Run: Ongoing Investigation
Police are asking for the public’s help to identify the driver of a Jeep Wrangler who might have witnessed the fatal crash. Police say the Wrangler stopped briefly, facing northbound on Sepulveda with its headlights on next to the pedestrian lying in the roadway before leaving the scene. Police have no description of the suspect vehicle or its driver. Anyone with more information is asked to contact the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division at 818-644-8114.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of Enrique Aponte for their tragic 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. Motorists are required to stop immediately, wait for the authorities to arrive, exchange information with other parties involved in the crash, and help any injured victims at the scene. However, in this case, the driver did not perform any of those actions required under the law. Instead, he or she fled the scene, leaving the wounded victim lying in the roadway exposed to more danger.
Justice for Victims’ Families
Families that have lost loved ones in hit-and-run collisions go through not only emotional trauma as the result of a sudden and untimely loss of a loved one, but also significant financial challenges because they are faced with unexpected expenses such as medical, funeral, and burial costs, which can all add up very quickly. The trauma is worsened by the fact that the hit-and-run driver has not been apprehended and/or charged.
In such cases, families would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles hit-and-run lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and help protect their rights. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also advise victims’ families regarding how their auto insurance policy might apply to a case where the at-fault driver is not identified or where he or she may be uninsured or underinsured.
Source: https://www.dailynews.com/2022/02/27/man-killed-in-hit-and-run-on-sepulveda-in-van-nuys/