Luis Espinoza, 26, of Long Beach, Died Following South LA Pedestrian Accident Involving Patrol Vehicle
SOUTH LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (January 9, 2024) – A 26-year-old man identified as Luis Espinoza has tragically died in a South LA car accident with patrol vehicle by Century Boulevard and McKinley Avenue.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the incident took place around 5:00 p.m. on December 8. New traffic footage shed light on the moments leading up to the collision.
Luis Espinoza was crossing the roadway outside of a marked crosswalk. A female police officer had her light bar activated when she struck the man.
The force of the impact knocked him to the ground. Over one minute went by before she exited her vehicle and began rendering aid.
Paramedics were also called to the scene in order to help the victim. Sadly, those efforts were not successful and Luis Espinoza was pronounced dead at the scene.
The officer involved in the collision is now potentially facing criminal charges for what happened. LAPD Chief Michael Moore said that the officer used her emergency lights “inappropriately” and was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the crash.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For South Los Angeles Patrol Vehicle Accidents
Accidents involving emergency vehicles are much more common than many people may realize. According to the National Safety Council, “In 2021, 198 people died in crashes involving emergency vehicles. The majority of these deaths were occupants of non-emergency vehicles (56%). Deaths among pedestrians accounted for another 25%, while emergency vehicle drivers represented 15% and emergency vehicle passengers accounted for about 3% of the deaths.” Police vehicles accounted for more than 2/3 of those fatalities. There are a number of steps that police officers should take in order to avoid collisions.
- Police officers should continuously scan the road ahead of them for pedestrians and other vehicles.
- Police officers should use their lights and sirens when responding to emergencies.
- Police officers should refrain from distractions while they are on the road.
Depending on the facts of any case, a police department could be liable for an accident involving one of their officers. When a police officer is responding to an actual emergency, they must use their lights and sirens as outlined in California Vehicle Code 21055. When an officer is not responding to an emergency, they must obey all traffic laws like every other driver.
Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21950, the driver of any vehicle approaching a pedestrian must exercise due care in order to avoid striking them. If a police officer fails to slow down to avoid striking a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. The vast majority of pedestrian accidents are preventable and often involve some amount of driver error. For example, the driver involved may have been speeding or distracted when they crashed. Several steps should be taken after any accident involving a police officer.
- Dashcam footage from the officer involved should be reviewed.
- Photos of the accident should be taken.
- Any person that is injured should seek medical treatment.
- An experienced catastrophic injury attorney should be consulted.
Car accidents are typically very complex events. The factors that could contribute to a collision may take place hours, days or weeks beforehand. Many accidents with police vehicles involve officers that were improperly using their emergency lights or speeding. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights. The family of any person that died due to the negligence of a police officer may have legal recourse through a civil claim. A pedestrian accident attorney can examine the unique facts of your case and get to the bottom of what caused any collision.
Investigating South Los Angeles Patrol Vehicle Accidents
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our deepest condolences to the family of Luis Espinoza. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. This was a preventable collision that should not have taken place. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a South Los Angeles pedestrian accident? Our team of Los Angeles personal injury attorneys are here to assist you. We are committed to helping accident victims and holding police departments accountable for their wrongful actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.