DUI Driver Kills Male Transient in Roadway

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, November 2, 2000

"DUI Driver Kills Male Transient in Roadway"

Los Angeles – On Thursday, November 2, 2000, at approximately 12:35 a.m., 35 year-old Christopher Westling Stearns of Los Angeles, was driving a 2000 Suzuki sport utility vehicle, southbound on Alameda Street between 4th and 5th Street. Stearns then collided with a transient. The transient is described as a male, African American, 6’0", 180 pounds. The victim was pushing a shopping cart, attempting to cross to the eastside of Alameda Street. The victim sustained major head trauma and was transported by Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics to County USCMC where he succumbed to his injuries.

Stearns was arrested and booked for Vehicular Manslaughter. Preliminary investigation indicates that Stearns was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision. He is expected to be arraigned on Friday, November 3, 2000 in downtown Los Angeles.

This investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by Central Traffic Division Detectives. If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Detective III Tia Morris or Officer Ignacio Rojas, at 213-485-3111.

This press release was prepared by Officer Mariana Gallegos, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.

For Release 4:00 pm PST
November 2, 2000