Long Beach, CA (May 11, 2024) The community of Long Beach awoke to tragic news on Mother’s Day, following the death of a 17-year-old boy. The teenager was riding a scooter when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver at the intersection of South Street and Orange Avenue, reports indicated. The fatal accident took place right around 12:30 a.m. and the driver, who fled the scene, was later arrested after crashing into an apartment building.
The 17-year-old boy was riding his scooter through the darkened streets of Long Beach at approximately 12:40 in the morning. Suddenly, with no warning, a 2012 Cadillac SRX appeared and struck the teenager. The force from the collision threw the teenager through the air and gravity pulled him back down to the ground with a hard thud. The Cadillac, driven by a woman, fled the scene, according to reports.
Emergency personnel arrived at the scene and found the teenager on the ground with life-threatening injuries. Firefighters began life-saving measures on the boy, but his injuries were too severe and he succumbed to them. With heavy hearts, authorities pronounced the 17-year-old boy dead at the scene and called for the coroner.
While still at the scene, officers received the call that the suspected vehicle had lost control on the 6100 block of Orange Avenue and crashed into an apartment building. Officers arrived and found the vehicle partially inside the building with the driver’s side door opened. The driver had fled on foot, officers reported. She later returned to the scene and was greeted by police officers. She was identified as Karen Mativa, 35, from Compton. Officers arrested her and she faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, assault with a deadly weapon with force, hit-and-run resulting in death or injury and charges of driving under the influence.
All of us at Accident News Now extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the 17-year-old boy killed in this horrible collision. If you or someone you know has been affected by this DUI accident, our team of experts is here to offer advice during this difficult time.
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