Man Arrested for Fatal Hit-and-Run, Less Than 15 Hours After the Crime Occurred

Los Angeles: Valley Traffic Division Detectives identify, locate and arrest the suspect responsible for a fatal

hit-and-run traffic collision.

On October 26, 2007, at around 11:30 p.m., Ever Robinson Chavez, 24, of Van Nuys, was standing with a group of people in an apartment building parking located in the 7000 block of Lennox Avenue.

According to investigators Juan Antonio Lopez, 23, a tenant of the apartment complex was attempting to park his 1987 light blue Toyota Supra and struck Chavez. Chavez was pinned against the parking lot retaining wall and suffered life threatening injuries.

Paramedics pronounced Chavez dead at the scene.

By law, Lopez was required to stop, identify himself and render aid to Chavez, however, Lopez left the parking lot.

Throughout the night and into the morning hours, detectives from Valley Traffic Division continued their investigation to locate suspect Lopez. At 2:00 p.m., less than 15 hours from when the crime occurred, police made contact with Lopez and took him into custody without incident.
UPDATE

Juan Antonio Lopez was booked for felony Hit-and-Run and Manslaughter. His bail is set for $500,000.

For additional information, please call Police Officer Martha Garcia, Valley Traffic Division, at 818-374-1937, or Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.