A tragic car accident involving an LAPD patrol vehicle resulted in the death of a 70-year-old man and left two police officers injured on Monday afternoon in Sun Valley. The incident was reported near the intersection of West Saticoy Street and Cleon Avenue, according to FOX LA. Officers, responding to a call with lights and sirens on, collided with the man's vehicle as he attempted to make a turn.
The deceased was later identified by friends and family as Jose Hernandez. ABC7 reports that a growing memorial has been established at the crash site. A statement obtained by ABC7 from Hernandez's friend, Carmen Ortega, noted in Spanish, "He was like family, all these years." Witnesses described hearing the collision, with one, Liessa Hall, recounting to ABC7, "I just heard the boom. Hit the car, and it spun and smacked it into here, and then the cop got out and checked the driver of the car that got hit."
Both officers involved in the crash were taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Det. Meghan Aguilar with LAPD added that the officers were eastbound on Saticoy, responding to a domestic violence restraining order violation when the accident happened. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that the officers were transported to a local hospital and that media inquiries should be directed to LAPD.
Investigations into the crash involve reviewing the dashcam video from the police cruiser to better ascertain the events leading up to the fatal incident. Residents have commented on the stretch of roadway where the crash occurred, which has a history of numerous accidents. "It's kind of just becoming normal to see a lot of accidents out here," Sergio Avelar told ABC7, emphasizing the frequency of vehicular incidents in the area.
While the investigation continues, Saticoy Street was closed between Vineland Avenue and Riverton Avenue for an undisclosed period to facilitate the activities, as reported by LAFD.
