(Los Angeles, CA) A pedestrian died in a Figueroa Street hit and run after being struck twice in a chain of events Friday night.
On Friday, September 12, during the evening hours, the Figueroa Street hit and run occurred. According to the Los Angeles Police Department’s South Traffic Division, it happened when a silver Toyota Corolla hit a pedestrian outside of a marked crosswalk on Figueroa Street.
The driver of the Toyota reportedly stopped and attempted to render aid. Moments later, a blue vehicle struck the already injured pedestrian and fled northbound without stopping. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived and transported the victim to a nearby hospital. Despite emergency efforts, the pedestrian died from their injuries.
Detective III Moreno is leading the investigation and has urged the public to provide any information about the blue vehicle. A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered under the city’s Hit-and-Run Reward Program Trust Fund for tips leading to an arrest and conviction.
Hit and runs are a serious and delicate situation. The state of California takes these cases very seriously. It’s important for all drivers to know what to do in a hit-and-run.
Legal Opinion on the Figueroa Street Hit and Run
The Figueroa Street hit and run raises some of the most severe legal issues under California law. Since the collision involved multiple vehicles and ended in death, both criminal and civil liability are at play. The most direct law is California Vehicle Code 20001, which makes it a felony to flee the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death. The driver of the blue vehicle clearly violated this statute by striking the victim and failing to stop.
The first driver, operating the Toyota, initially struck the pedestrian outside a crosswalk. California Vehicle Code 21954 applies here. This law requires pedestrians crossing outside of a crosswalk to yield to vehicles. However, it also requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid hitting them. Speed could also be a factor. California Vehicle Code 22350, the Basic Speed Law, requires drivers to travel at speeds safe for conditions. If either driver was traveling too fast for nighttime conditions in a busy Los Angeles corridor, liability may increase.
Since the pedestrian died, the family has the right to file a wrongful death claim under California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. This allows relatives to pursue damages for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and the profound emotional toll of this tragedy.
What the Family Can Do
The family of the victim should contact a wrongful death attorney immediately. An attorney can review police reports, gather surveillance footage, and work with investigators to help identify the driver of the blue vehicle. The family may pursue civil claims against the Toyota driver, and once identified, the driver of the blue vehicle. Even though the Toyota driver stopped, liability may still exist if negligence contributed to the initial strike.
Civil action will not only help cover funeral and medical expenses but can also provide accountability in addition to the criminal charges that may follow. Taking swift action after the Figueroa Street hit and run ensures the family’s rights are protected and that justice is pursued for their loved one.
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.
