56-Year-Old Man Inside Boom Lift Basket Dies after Being Struck by Bus NR14055wr

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Central Traffic Division detectives are investigating a traffic collision that left a man dead.

On Tuesday, February 11, 2014, around 3:25 a.m., a Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) passenger bus collided with a boom lift. The collision occurred at the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Wright Street in Central Area. The contact between the bus and the boom lift caused the unsecured operator to fall to the pavement.

According to detectives the operator of a 120 foot boom lift was maneuvering from Venice Boulevard onto Wright Street when he was struck by the bus traveling westbound on Venice Boulevard. The operator was inside the lift basket which was around 11 feet above the ground.

The Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics transported the 56-year-old lift operator to a local hospital with severe head trauma. He died a short time later from his injuries.

The identity of the operator has not been released pending notification of next of kin. The cause of the collision is still under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD Central Traffic Division Detective s at (213) 833-3713, or Detective F. Padilla at (213) 486-0753.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (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 LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.