10-Year-Old in Critical Condition After Road Rage Incident NR09309kr

Los Angeles: A road rage incident occurred Monday afternoon resulting in a serious rollover accident that critically injured two young children.

On June 29, 2009, at around 3:00 p.m., Valley Traffic Division Officers responded to a traffic collision on Sepulveda Boulevard south of Mayall Street.  Once on scene Officer’s discovered an overturned Chevrolet, Astro Van.

The van contained the driver, Juan Garcia, 28 years of age, Garcia’s 25 year-old girlfriend, Garcia’s 10 year-old son, his 9 year-old daughter, 7 year-old daughter, and his 2 year-old daughter.  

All of Garcia’s children were riding unrestrained in the back of the van.  The 10 year-old was ejected from the van and suffered life threatening injuries.  The 7 year-old was admitted to the hospital with a serious head injury.  The two other children received minor injuries and were treated and released from a local hospital into the care of the Department of Children and Family Services.

Investigators learned that another vehicle had fled the scene and had been involved in a road rage incident with the overturned van.  Using information provided by witnesses, Investigators were able to locate the other driver, Armando Anaya, 50 year-old, at his residence in North Hills.

Anaya and Garcia were both arrested and booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon with a Vehicle.  Other charges are pending, including Driving Under the Influence, and Child Endangering for Garcia.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mission Homicide Detective Gene Parshall at 818-838-9810.  After-hours and on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on web tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.