RSSThe roadways of Southern California are almost always packed – not just with cars, but with joggers, cyclists, dog-walkers, scooter-riders and the like. Drivers must pay extremely close attention to their surroundings but sometimes a split second of inattention or distraction can spell tragedy. In some situations, a pedestrian may not follow traffic rules or a cyclist may dart out into an intersection. In any case, when vehicles and non-vehicles collide in L.A., the results can be injury, death or criminal charges.
All three of these elements were present recently in an apparent hit-and-run in Lakewood. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, a 67-year-old woman had been crossing a street near Lakewood Regional Hospital with her adult daughter. The two women were reportedly talking and not crossing in a designated crosswalk. Unfortunately, a car pulled out at that moment and struck the older woman. She died at the site from injuries sustained in the crash. Her daughter was unhurt.
When a driver hits a pedestrian, it may be tough to remember that sometimes tragic accidents simply happen and inadvertently hitting someone is not always a violation of the law. Still, some drivers panic and flee the scene. They may have an existing criminal record; even minor violations in one’s past can lead a motorist to assume they will face harsher penalties if they stay at the scene. Some drivers may be undocumented and fear being turned-over to immigration officials. At other times, drivers may just be overcome with the chaotic emotions that follow a crash. In any event, leaving the scene of an accident often carries worse penalties than staying behind.
In the Lakewood crash, the driver is reported to have fled the scene. Police are now on the lookout for the vehicle, said to be a Honda or a Nissan, small, and black in color. The car is likely to stand out due to what was described as significant damage to its front end.
When a driver accidentally hits a pedestrian, the driver’s side of the story needs to be told, possibly in court with skilled representation. Contact L.A. defense attorney Jonathan Kelman at 310.286.1218 for a free initial consultation.