A tragic turn of events left a community mourning as a 17-year-old boy was struck and killed by an alleged DUI driver early Sunday in Long Beach. Authorities responded to the intersection of Orange Avenue and South Street around 12:40 a.m. following reports of an injury collision, as per the Long Beach Police Department.
Found suffering from grievous injuries, the teenage victim was hit by an SUV while riding his scooter. In a haze of chaos, the driver, identified as 35-year-old Compton resident Karen Mativa, fled the scene after striking the boy and later crashed into an apartment building at 6100 Orange Avenue, according to the Long Beach Police Department. After fleeing the scene on foot, Mativa returned shortly and was arrested by the responding officers.
Long Beach police stated that Mativa, now in custody, was booked on multiple charges including driving under the influence, hit-and-run resulting in death or injury, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and assault with a deadly weapon with force. KTLA reported that Mativa's bail has been set at $130,000. Meanwhile, the name of the young victim has not been released due to his age.
No injuries were reported when Mativa's vehicle collided with the building, but at the heart of this calamity, a family grieves the loss of a life cut heartbreakingly short by the actions that speed and impaired driving are thought to be contributing factors to.
The Long Beach Police Department continues its investigation, they ask witnesses or anyone with details about the crash to contact LBPD Collision Investigation Detail Detective Kevin Johansen at (562) 570-7355 or make an anonymous tip through "LA Crime Stoppers."
