California Injury Blog
A 51-year-old man died from his injuries after being struck by a couple of cars, one of which fled the scene after the collision.
According to a KTLA news report, the first car hit the victim as he attempted to cross Western Avenue just north of 65th Street in the Chesterfield area of South Los Angeles early on the morning of Nov. 20.
Ongoing Hit-and-Run Investigation
The driver of that car, believed to be a white, medium-sized sedan with tinted windows, fled the scene, but a second car struck the man as he was lying in the roadway on Western Avenue. That driver stopped to help the victim as he was lodged under the vehicle, police said.
The Los Angeles Fire Department declared the man dead at the scene. There is no available description of the driver of the first car, but anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD at 323-421-2500. The investigation is ongoing.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased victim for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Leaving the Scene of an Accident
It is illegal under California law to leave the scene of an accident where someone has been injured or killed. California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.”
Motorists are required to stop immediately at the scene, wait for authorities to arrive, exchange pertinent information with other parties, and most importantly, render aid to the injured victims. Leaving a victim lying in the roadway exposes him or her to further danger, as it happened in this case, where the pedestrian was struck by another vehicle and fatally injured.
Justice for Victims and Families
In such cases, victims’ families are left not only with the grief of losing a loved one as well as medical and funeral expenses but also the devastation of not holding the driver who left the scene accountable. It is important that families seek the counsel of an experienced Los Angeles hit-and-run lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
A knowledgeable car accident attorney will also be able to advise families about how their own auto insurance policy might apply to a hit-and-run crash or in a case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Source: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/police-seek-help-in-identifying-driver-involved-in-fatal-hit-and-run-in-chesterfield-square/