California Injury Blog
Police have filed felony charges against a 30-year-old man in connection with the hit-and-run death of 37-year-old Lawrence Harris of Buena Park.
According to a City News Service report, the fatal crash occurred the night of Aug. 29. Police say John Edward Angulo ran a red light before slamming into the victim’s vehicle at the intersection of Knott and Orange avenues.
Charges Filed
Angulo fled on foot, but was apprehended by officials hours later sleeping in another vehicle near the crash scene, Anaheim police officials said. Angulo has been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run with permanent and serious injury, with a sentencing enhancement for allegedly fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter, court records show.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of Lawrence Harris for their tremendous loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Violations of the Law
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver not only ran a red light and crashed into the victim’s vehicle leaving him fatally injured, but also fled the scene of the crash on foot. It is not clear if drugs or alcohol were involved. California Vehicle Code section 21453 (a) states: “A driver facing a circular red signal shall stop at the limit line before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown.”
Leaving the scene of an injury or fatal crash is a felony crime under California law. 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.”
Justice for Victims’ Families
Families of hit-and-run victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County hit-and-run lawyer who represents injured victims and families of those who have been killed in these tragic crashes.
In such cases, compensation may be available for the victims’ families from the uninsured motorist clause of their auto insurance policy. An experienced lawyer can help families understand how their own auto insurance policy might apply in a case where the hit and run driver has not been found or in a case where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/09/01/man-charged-in-anaheim-hit-and-run-that-killed-a-buena-park-resident/