California Injury Blog
Police have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with a hit-and-run crash in Boyle Heights that left a bicyclist severely injured. According to a CBS Los Angeles news report, tips from the public led to the arrest of Luis Raya-Flores who police say struck and injured a bicyclist and fled the scene. The incident occurred the night of Aug. 22. The bicyclist was traveling east on Whittier Boulevard near Calzona Street when a white pickup truck crossed the center divider into oncoming traffic and hit the bicyclist head on.
Major Injuries Reported
Video shows the impact of the crash threw the bicyclist into the air and flipped him before he came back down onto the truck’s hood and onto to the ground. After the crash, the truck was seen veering back onto the right side of the street. Police said Raya-Flores did not stop to help the bicyclist and fled the scene. The bicyclist, a 53-year-old man, was transported to a hospital with severe injuries. Witnesses said the pickup truck was being driven at high speed and the driver lost control as he made a turn, which led to the crash.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the severely injured bicyclist. We wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Leaving the Scene of a Crash
LAPD officials said the driver failed to stop to render aid, identify himself or herself, and fled the scene in the vehicle, all of which are illegal under California law. Raya-Flores reportedly admitted to being the hit-and-run driver when LAPD officials showed up at his Canoga Park home. He told officials he fled because he “panicked” after hitting the bicyclist. Raya-Flores was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run.
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.”
Compensation for Injured Victims
In this case, the injured victim can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Injured victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer who is particularly well-versed in handling cases involving hit-and-run drivers. A knowledgeable lawyer will also be able to advise victims regarding how their own auto insurance policy might apply to a case where a driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Source: https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2019/08/27/boyle-heights-hit-and-run-bicyclist-struck/