California Injury Blog
The family of a hit and run victim has called for justice after a fatal collision in Hollywood. Roberto “Beto” Vigil, 55, was killed in a North Hollywood hit and run crash after he was fatally struck by a van, which left the scene.
According to a KTLA news report, the incident occurred on the night of Sept. 25 when Vigil was crossing Oxford Street to get to Rose Market. LAPD officials said it was then that he was hit by a dark-colored van.
Ongoing Investigation and Reward
The van’s driver continued west on Oxnard Street without stopping to help the victim. Vigil was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Vigil is survived by his wife and two daughters. A GoFundMe has been created by his family to help pay for funeral expenses. The victim, a house painter, was his family’s sole breadwinner according to a KTLA report. His daughters described him as hard-working, kind, and always willing to help others.
The investigation is ongoing, but officials have not arrested anyone and are seeking information about the van’s driver. Vigil’s family is asking the driver to come forward. City officials are offering up to $50,000 for information leading to the driver’s identification, capture, and criminal conviction. Anyone who has information is asked to contact LAPD at 818-644-8032 or 1-877-527-3247 during non-business hours or on weekends.
We offer our deepest condolences to the Vigil family for their tragic and heartbreaking loss.
Justice for Victims’ Families
Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a), it is illegal to leave the scene of an injury or fatal crash. The law requires motorists to not only stop immediately and remain at the scene of a crash, but also to wait for the authorities to arrive, exchange information such as insurance details with other parties, and most importantly, to render aid to injured victims.
Families that have lost loved ones to hit and run crashes not only deal with the emotional trauma and grief but also face real financial challenges as Vigil’s family does, having lost their sole breadwinner. In such cases, families would be well advised to seek the counsel of an experienced Los Angeles hit and run lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and make sure their legal rights and best interests are protected.
A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to advise them about how the uninsured motorist clause of their auto insurance policy might apply in a case where the hit and run driver is not found or in a situation where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Source: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/im-just-angry-family-of-north-hollywood-father-fatally-struck-in-hit-and-run-demands-justice/