Fatal Hit and Run Traffic Collison Driver Arrested NR22296ah

Griffith Park: On October 8, 2022, around 3:00 p.m., a vehicle described as a light blue, 2006 Lexus was traveling northbound in a parking lot, in the area of Griffith Park’s Western Canyon Road. The vehicle struck 70-year-old Valeriy Saakyan, who lost his footing, fell to the ground and was intentionally run over by his own vehicle, driven by a female suspect. The suspect fled the scene in Saakyan’s vehicle and did not render aid to Saakyan.

Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded to the scene and transported Saakyan to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

On October 9, 2022, around 10:00 a.m., Hollywood Patrol officers were in the area of Lexington Avenue and Vine Street, when they saw a vehicle with traffic collision damage and a blue tarp over it. The officers discovered that the vehicle had a felony want involving a fatal hit and run, and observed a female exiting the vehicle. They detained the female, later identified as 32-year-old Sonia Sovereign and transported her to Hollywood Station. Detective Ramirez with Central Traffic Division conducted an interview of Sovereign where she confessed to the crime.

Sonia Sovereign, a resident of Los Angeles was arrested for 187 (a) PC- Murder at the Metropolitan Detention Center. Her bail is set at $1,000,000 (Booking No. 6479886).

The Los Angeles Police Department would like to remind everyone that when involved in a traffic collision to stop and check on the other parties, make sure they are not injured, call 9-1-1 if they need medical attention, and to exchange information. Don’t convert a traffic crash into a crime.

Anyone with further information regarding this investigation, please contact Detective Daniel Ramirez, Central Traffic Detectives, at (213) 833-3713 or e-mail him at 39299@lapd.online. 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 the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-2228477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip.