(Chatsworth, CA) A man lost his life in a Lassen Street hit and run early Wednesday morning in Chatsworth.
On Wednesday, September 4, at about 5:30 a.m., the Lassen Street hit and run occurred. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, it happened near the intersection of Lassen Street and Canoga Avenue.
Officers arrived after receiving reports of a body in the driveway of a residence. They discovered a man lying unresponsive with multiple traumatic injuries. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded minutes later and assessed the victim. Paramedics determined he sustained fatal injuries and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Detectives examined the location and collected evidence. Surveillance video showed a vehicle struck the victim intentionally before fleeing the scene. Officials confirmed his injuries matched those caused by a vehicle. Investigators also noted he may have suffered additional injuries from an unknown source. Authorities withheld the victim’s name pending family notification. Police urged witnesses with information about the Lassen Street hit and run to contact the LAPD Valley Bureau Homicide Division at (818) 374-9550.
Legal Opinion on the Lassen Street Hit and Run
This Lassen Street hit and run raises serious legal consequences under California law. Investigators believe the driver intentionally struck the victim, then fled. That sequence touches multiple criminal and civil violations. The most direct violation is California Vehicle Code 20001. This law makes it illegal to flee after causing an injury or death. The law requires a driver to stop, provide information, and offer aid. Leaving without doing so creates felony liability. Since the victim died, the penalty can include years in prison.
Because detectives suspect the driver acted deliberately, California law also treats the vehicle as a weapon. That brings in California Penal Code 245(a)(1), which defines assault with a deadly weapon. A car used in this way falls under that law. If prosecutors confirm intent, the driver could face long-term imprisonment. The seriousness of the Lassen Street hit and run also raises questions of punitive damages, which is sometimes awarded. This is typically the case when a driver acts with extreme recklessness or intentional harm.
What the Family Can Do
The victim’s family should first protect their rights by contacting a wrongful death attorney. An attorney can obtain the police report, gather surveillance footage, and secure witness statements. Quick action helps preserve evidence, which is vital in intentional hit-and-run cases. The family can also pursue a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. This can provide financial support during an overwhelming and painful time. While no lawsuit can undo this loss, legal action can hold the driver accountable and provide resources for the family’s future.
The investigation is ongoing, but the family does not need to wait to seek legal guidance. An experienced attorney can guide them through both the criminal and civil process, ensuring that their loved one’s death does not go unanswered.
We at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim. We know this is a difficult time as you mourn the tragic and sudden loss of a loved one. If you have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this horrible incident, call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
