Tag: hit-and-run driver

SHERMAN OAKS—On January 27, the Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Detectives (VTD) announced that they are investigating a hit-and-run traffic collision that killed an elderly man in his 80s and his dog while out for a walk.

The LAPD reported that at around 11:35 p.m., a 2009 Gray Maserati Quattroporte was traveling northbound on Woodman Avenue passing Moorpark Street when it struck an elderly male pedestrian who was crossing Woodman Avenue with a dog. The hit-and-run vehicle continued northbound Woodman Avenue without stopping, identifying themselves, or rendering aid as required by law. The vehicle was abandoned near the area of the collision and is in police custody.

Paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and transported the male pedestrian in grave condition to a local hospital and he later died as a result of the injuries sustained. His name is being withheld until a notification has been made to his next of kin.

VTD Detectives are asking the public to come forward with information regarding this fatal hit-and-run. If you were driving on Woodman Avenue and Moorpark Street on Tuesday night around 11:35 p.m., and/or witnessed the collision contact VTD Detectives with any information.

Motorists are reminded that if they become involved in a collision, they should pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene to identify themselves.

On April 15, 2015, the City Council amended the Los Angeles Administrative Code and created a Hit-and-Run Reward Program Trust Fund. A reward of up to $50,000 is available to community members that provide information leading to the offender’s identification, apprehension, and conviction or resolution through a civil compromise.

Anyone with details about this collision is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division, Officer Takishita at (818) 644-8116 or Officer Reyes at (818) 644-8114. During non-business hours or weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).

Those wanting to remain anonymous may contact LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through www.lapdonline.org by clicking “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved – Crime Stoppers” menu.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On Friday, November 7, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office disclosed that Marshonda Whitaker, 42, was charged with aiding driver, Alex Kristopher Kirksey, 38, who evaded police and fled California after he allegedly killed two people and seriously injured two others in a fatal hit and run in Santa Monica in October.

Kirksey was charged in case 25ARCF02225 on October 30 with two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence; two felony counts of hit and run driving resulting in death or serious injury; and one felony count of reckless driving on a highway causing injury. It is further alleged that he personally inflicted great bodily injury upon the victims and had a prior serious felony conviction.

On October 24, Kirksey was allegedly driving the wrong way on Wilshire Boulevard near Euclid Avenue when he traveled through a red light before striking a curb and hitting and killing Maura Cohen and Brad Lipshy, both 61, who were exiting a sushi restaurant in the 1300 block of Wilshire Boulevard. The vehicle continued traveling down the sidewalk and struck two other people who were transported to a hospital in critical condition.

Kirksey allegedly fled the scene on foot and left the state. After an extensive investigation, detectives with the Santa Monica Police Department tracked Kirksey to Chicago. With the help of the Chicago Police Department, he was taken into custody.

On November 6, Kirksey pleaded not guilty at arraignment. His bail was set at $1 million. If convicted as charged, Kirksey faces up to 26 years in state prison.

Marshonda Lajune Whitaker has been charged with one felony count of accessory after the fact. The complaint alleges that Whitaker, with knowledge that Kirksey committed gross vehicular manslaughter and hit and run, aided Kirksey in avoiding arrest. If convicted as charged, Whitaker faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison.

Whitaker was arrested in Santa Monica on November 6. She was arraigned and pleaded not guilty, with her bail set at $25,000.

A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for both defendants on December 3 in Department 31 of the Airport Courthouse. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Katherine Burgermyer of the Airport Branch Office. It remains under investigation by the Santa Monica Police Department.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Santa Monica Police Department Investigator Lantz Lewis at (310) 458-2201 ext. 5311, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at (310) 458-8427.

 

 

By Danny Jones

STUDIO CITY— Authorities are searching for a male hit-and-run suspect, who crashed a white Alfa Romeo Stelvio into Akira Sushi at 11830 Ventura Boulevard on Monday, May 22.

At 1:35 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene to find the vehicle inside the restaurant without the driver – described as a Black male wearing gray sweatpants, gray and white sneakers, a blue long-sleeve shirt and an ankle monitor – who reportedly fled on foot with a dog following the accident. Urban Search and Rescue specialists assisted with the removal of the car from the business, LAFD indicated.

The white vehicle was reportedly heading eastbound on Ventura Boulevard before veering off the road, crashing into two vehicles – a white, delivery truck en route and a parked silver BMW – an electrical box, then coming to a complete stop in Akira.

The suspect proceeded to flee the scene on foot with a dog that was in the car. He reportedly grabbed a woman on the street to ask for her phone to “call his wife,” a witness told KCAL 9 news. She declined and the suspect proceeded to get into a cab and was not seen again. 

“He must have been going at least 80 to 100 miles per hour,” Matthew, a manager of a neighboring business, told Canyon News. “It wasn’t determined to be a stolen car, but the driver was not the owner,” Matthew continued. 

Akira, which has only been open for two months, is closed for business on Mondays. A chef was in the back prepping for service on Tuesday when the crash occurred. No injuries were reported, LAFD reported.

The business sustained major damage and is now boarded up while it undergoes renovations. It is set to reopen in the first week of June, according to its Yelp page.

Police are reportedly going to use the ankle monitor to help track down the suspect.  

Anyone with additional information about the suspect is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department North Hollywood station at (818) 754 -8300.

By Lacy