(South Los Angeles) On October 22nd, 29-year-old John Anthony Cardenas is facing a charge of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, one count of felony murder and hit and run driving resulting in another person’s death or injury.
The driver has been on the search under the LAPD radiator for nearly a month. According to a criminal complaint, Cardenas has faced a past conviction that he had also fled the scene from in 2025 for vehicular homicide in regard to personally harming another person or using a deadly weapon of a motor vehicle and fled the scene.
Detectives issued a search warrant and located his vehicle in connection to the fatal crash that killed Akil Saud Batani-Khalfani.
Legal Analysis for the Charges Against John Anthony Cardenas
Because John Anthony Cardenas was charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and hit-and-run laws, the investigators likely reviewed penal laws under vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run laws before making final decisions.
In regard to the vehicular homicide charge, investigators likely reviewed California Penal Code 193. Under this law, it’s possible that Cardenas could spend up to 6 years in the state prison as this applies to driving in an unlawful or lawful act that can produce death, specified under California Penal Code 192 (C) (2).
Advice to the Victims
To the loved ones of Akil Saud Batani-Khalfani, we understand that the search may have been stressful to navigate for nearly a month since your loved one has passed. Taking time for yourself in getting emotional support from loved ones is really important. If you want to learn more about the collision, contacting the Los Angeles Police Department detectives may provide you with more information.
Have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this incident? call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
