According to a recent report appearing on the NBC Los Angeles website, two pedestrians were struck by a suspected DUI motorist while they were in a marked crosswalk in downtown Los Angeles. One of the pedestrians died, while the second pedestrian was critically injured.
In a statement, the Los Angeles Police Department said that the crash happened just before midnight when a silver Lexus traveling westbound on eastbound 9th Street struck the pedestrians as they crossed at the intersection of 9th and Olive Street.
The impact force sent both pedestrians airborne and landing on the Street.
The driver did not attempt to stop or render aid and kept going until crashing head-on with an eastbound vehicle. The driver of the Lexus then tried to flee the second crash by ramming his vehicle through another car and a semi-tractor trailer rig, but was unable to do so.
Eyewitnesses in the community prevented the driver from leaving the scene on foot until police arrived.
Paramedics with the Los Angeles City Fire Department rushed both pedestrians, a 36-year-old man, and a 32-year-old man, to an area hospital for treatment.
Despite all life-saving measures by first responders, the 36-year-old man died from injuries sustained in the crash. The 32-year-old man was treated for severe but non-life-threatening injuries.
Police arrested 39-year-old John Joseph Hansen Mandrang of Los Angeles on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Mandrang is currently being held on a $130,000 bond.
The LAPD is asking anyone with any information about the fatal crash to contact Detective Juan Campos at the LAPD’s Central Traffic Division at (213) 833-3713 or by email at [email protected]. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go to lacrimestoppers.org.
