Motorcyclist Killed in North Hills Hit-and-Run – NR23744am/hg

November 11, 2023

UPDATE

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Valley Traffic Detectives have arrested the driver responsible for killing motorcyclist in a violent high-speed collision.

The investigation revealed that the suspect, later identified as 31-year-old, Sandro Edgardo Mendieta, from San Fernando Valley was driving recklessly at high speed when he collided with the motorcyclist. Valley Traffic Detectives worked tirelessly to identify the suspect and learned he was attempting to flee the country to avoid arrest. Detectives along with the assistance of the LAPD Fugitive Warrant Section, conducted several follow-ups in an attempt to locate Mendieta. Mendieta was located near the Mexican border.

Mendieta was taken into custody and arrested for 187(A) PC-Murder. He was booked at the Van Nuys Jail and bail was set at $2,030,000.00. Booking No. 6710167.

North Hills: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic detectives, are investigating a fatal hit-and-run traffic collision that killed a motorcyclist.

On November 9, 2023, around 6:40 p.m., a fatal traffic collision was reported on Woodley Avenue and Parthenia Street. A 1992, White, BMW was traveling at a high rate of speed southbound Woodley Avenue when it collided with a 2008 Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was exiting from a private driveway on Woodley Avenue.

The collision caused the motorcyclist to continue in a southwest direction colliding with a parked vehicle. The BMW continued in southeast direction while rotating and also collided with a parked vehicle. The driver of the BWM exited the vehicle leaving a passenger behind then fled the scene on foot failing to stop, identify himself and/or render aid. The hit and run vehicle is in police custody.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced the motorcyclist deceased at scene. The motorcyclist was a male, White, in his late 50’s. His name is being withheld pending identification and notification of next of kin by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

Motorists are reminded to drive at a safe speed, reckless driving kills. If you become involved in a collision, you should pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene to identify yourself.

On April 15, 2015, the City Council amended the Los Angeles Administrative Code and created a Hit-and-Run Reward Program Trust Fund. A reward of up to $50,000 is available to community members that provide information leading to the offender’s identification, apprehension, and conviction or resolution through a civil compromise.

Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division Officer Garcia at 818-644-8117 or Detective Ortega at 818-644-8035. 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 L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) 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. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.