Fatal Hit-and-Run Leaves one Man Dead and Four Injured NR11133gb

Los Angeles:  LAPD West Traffic Division detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information about a fatal traffic collision that occurred in Koreatown.  

On Saturday, March 26, 2011, at around 2:28 a.m., a fatal traffic collision occurred on James M.Wood Boulevard and Ardmore Avenue in LAPD’s Olympic Area.  Ricardo Leos, a 19-year-old resident of Los Angeles, was driving a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse eastbound on James M. Boulevard.  As Leos approached Ardmore Avenue, he was directly behind a 2004 Toyota Camry, also eastbound on James M. Wood.  At the intersection, The Camry was turning left onto   Ardmore Avenue.  Leos drove the Eclipse into the oncoming lane and tried to pass the Camry’s left side, causing both cars to collide.  After the collision, the Camry continued southbound and came to a stop at the northeast corner.  The Eclipse rolled upside down and slid into a power pole, then collided with a parked car.  The Eclipse finally came to rest in the westbound lane of Ardmore Avenue.

After the collision, Leos left the scene without rendering aid or identifying himself as required by law.  

Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded and pulled out Jacento Ojeda, a 41-year-old Los Angeles resident from the front passenger seat of the Eclipse.  Ojeda was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger was also pulled out from the rear passenger seat of the Eclipse and rushed to a local hospital where he was treated for injuries.  The driver of the Camry and two other passengers were transported to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Leos was later arrested at his residence and he was booked on suspicion of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter. He is being held at Men’s Central Jail in lieu of $100,000.00 bail. The initial investigation conducted at scene indicates that alcohol was a factor in this traffic collision.

Anyone with information about this incident, please contact LAPD, West Traffic Detective Section at 213-473-0222.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers 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.