The Los Angeles Police on Sunday, May 17th, arrested the woman who killed a man in a hit-and-run collision early this month in downtown Los Angeles, California. Maria, Perez, 59, of Bell Gardens, would need a top accident lawyer to represent her interests.
The police took the suspect into custody at about 2 a.m. in the area of Gladys Avenue and Sixth Street. According to the arrest report, a sergeant sighted Perez’s 2005 Scion xB, on the roadway. It matched the description of the car that struck and killed Byern Smith, 51, on Thursday, May 7th.
Have you or a loved one been involved in an accident? Speak to a lawyer for a free no obligation consultation
Or call us at (888) 699-7975
The preliminary accident report showed that the suspect hit the man at about 1:50 a.m. while he was walking in the 1600-block of East Seventh Street. LAPD investigators said that the woman got out of her car after the collision, but then fled the scene without identifying herself or rendering help.
The officers that apprehended Perez booked her on charges of felony hit-and-run. She is also facing an unspecified felony charge and two outstanding misdemeanor warrants. The authorities set her bail at $100 000, but there’s no date for her court appearance.
A hit-and-run is a severe offense under the laws of California. Offenders face misdemeanor and felony charges after investigators prove the ingredients of the crime. The latter includes that the driver of a vehicle struck a person and failed to stay behind to render help.
When there’s a death, the offender also faces a vehicular manslaughter charge, which carries between four to ten years in state prison. Those involved in hit-and-run accidents should secure the services of a top accident lawyer.
Disclaimer: The Safety Watch article you just read includes information obtained from numerous sources. These sources include, but are not limited to, websites and press releases from law enforcement, the county coroner, fire departments, and other news outlets. While we strive to provide readers with the most accurate information, sometimes the information received is not entirely accurate. For complete details, please refer to an official police report.
The articles published contain sensitive subject matter that may be hard to read by some. We understand that losing a loved one is hard and devastating. Safety Watch’s decision to share the stories is to help others who may be facing the same situations by providing appropriate resources to the general public.