Individual Responsible for Killing 5-Yr-Old Turns Himself in to Police NR16386aj

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Department Central Traffic Detectives have arrested the individual responsible for the death of 5-year-old Luiz Sanchez.

On Thursday, December 1, 2016, around 12:15 a.m., a fatal traffic collision occurred on the 2800 block of Central Avenue in Newton Area. The collision occurred when the driver of a 2012 Chevy Cruze was traveling northbound on Central Avenue and crossed into opposing traffic lanes. The vehicle continued in a northwestern direction and ran off the roadway directly into a two-story apartment building.

At the time of the collision, the apartment was occupied with six family members. The youngest in the family, 5-year-old Luis Sanchez, suffered blunt force trauma injuries and was rushed to a local hospital by paramedics. Despite lifesaving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The other family members were also taken to a local hospital. The child’s parents suffered bone fractures. Three other children, a 16-year-old boy, and two girls, ages 6 and 13 years old, suffered minor injuries that were non-life threatening.

The driver of the Chevy Cruze, a 23-year-old female, suffered minor injuries and was taken to California Hospital Medical Center. She was found to be under the influence of alcohol and arrested for vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.

During the investigation, detectives recovered video from surveillance cameras in the area. The video shows a male getting into his vehicle that is parked in a northbound direction along the east curb of Central Avenue. The driver starts his car and then makes a U-turn directly into the path of the Chevy Cruze. There was contact between the two vehicles which caused the front grill of the turning vehicle to dislodge. The Chevy Cruze continued in a northwestern direction and collided into the apartment building. The hit and run driver stopped briefly then fled the scene southbound on Central Avenue.

Officers recovered the front grill at the scene and identified the hit and run vehicle as a 1996 Saab. The registered owner, whose address was near the collision, was identified. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Jorge Ruiz-Garcia, 28 years old of Los Angeles.

On Friday, December 9, 2016, Ruiz-Garcia turned himself in at Central Area Police Station where he was arrested and booked for 20001 VC, Hit and Run. He was later released on bond with the bail set at $100,000.00.

The driver of the Chevy Cruze, Vrenda Moreno, 23 years old, was released from custody after detectives discovered the actual cause of the collision. She still faces criminal charges for her involvement.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Central Traffic Detectives, at (213) 833-3713. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7(1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”