Hit-and-run crashes remain a tragic epidemic on modern roads, especially for vulnerable cyclists on busy city streets. Just this week, the Los Angeles Police Department apprehended a driver following a devastating and entirely preventable collision that claimed the life of a senior citizen.
According to local news reports, the fatal crash occurred around 6:40 a.m. on Friday near the bustling intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Vermont Avenue in Koreatown. A 73-year-old woman was legally riding her bicycle within a designated crosswalk when tragedy struck.
Police state that a white Dodge Ram traveling east on Olympic Boulevard was attempting to make a right turn onto southbound Vermont Avenue when the massive truck violently collided with the cyclist.
The Driver Fled The Scene
Instead of doing the right thing and immediately calling an ambulance, the driver made a poor and callous decision. Reports indicate the suspect briefly stopped, reversed the truck, and then fled eastbound on Olympic Boulevard toward Menlo Avenue without ever identifying themselves or rendering aid to the downed rider.
First responders quickly transported the victim to a nearby local hospital. Sadly, she later succumbed to her extensive injuries. Her identity is currently being withheld by officials pending notification of her next of kin.
Read More from MotorBiscuit:
- Watch Out for This Major Hidden Danger When Driving a Big Pickup Truck
- IIHS Says SUVs, Trucks More Likely to Be Involved in Pedestrian Crashes
Fortunately, this suspect did not get far. While police often catch a depressingly small percentage of hit-and-run drivers, locating the offending vehicle quickly is incredibly important for a successful investigation. Officers soon found a white Dodge Ram matching the exact description abandoned near the scene of the collision and quickly took the driver into police custody.
While the investigation remains ongoing, the LAPD has released some details regarding the suspect’s potential state of mind. Authorities have stated that drug use is strongly believed to have contributed to the fatal collision, though it remains unknown at this time whether alcohol was also a factor.
