A Palisadian man arrested last week for driving under the influence may face charges for a hit-and-run accident involving a Los Angeles Police Department motor officer.
A vehicle struck the officer Wednesday, Dec. 4, shortly before 8 p.m. at Sunset and the Pacific Coast Highway. Detective Charles Walton said the driver was heading southbound when he crossed a median with double-yellow lines while turning into the Chevron gas station. The officer was riding his motorcycle northbound when he was hit.
The driver briefly stopped at the gas station and parked, and then the driver left the area.
The officer, whose name has not been released, suffered two fractures in his left leg.
“The officer’s surgery went well, and he’s on the road to recovery,” LAPD West Traffic Division Capt. Rolando Solano wrote in an email provided to the Palisadian-Post. “The officer wanted to express his sincerest gratitude to the community for their good thoughts and a profound appreciation for the actions taken by the community when the incident occurred.”
A trauma surgeon stopped at the scene and rendered first aid, and multiple witnesses came forward to help the investigation.
Local television stations showed a video of the suspect at the gas station that night.
Walton said officers identified a person of interest and conducted surveillance at his house the next day. The house is located in the Palisades near the scene of the crash.
The man was seen leaving his home in the same gold two-door Mercedes Benz convertible that police believe was used in the hit-and-run. The suspect was arrested for DUI at 11:45 a.m. He has since been released on bail.
As of print deadline, charges had not been filed so police could not release the suspect’s name. Walton said they hoped to file charges mid-week.
“We want to make sure the case is complete and strong before we file the formal charge against him,” he said.
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