Mount Washington Man Arrested for Committing Assault with a Vehicle NR11313cn

Los Angeles:  On May 28, 2011, at 2:45 p.m, Los Angeles resident Winona Wacker, was riding her bicycle northbound on Avenue 50 just past Buchanan Street.  Louis Mraz, also a resident of Los Angeles, was driving behind her in his 2001 Volvo convertible with his top down and began honking his horn and yelling for Wacker to move out of his way.  Wacker continued to ride her bike when she heard the vehicle accelerate.  Mraz then drove violently into the left side of Wacker’s bike causing her to fall and tumble to the pavement.  Mraz then left the area, leaving Wacker with numerous cuts and abrasions.  

A witness stated that Mraz had room on the roadway to pass and saw Mraz intentionally strike the victim. When he saw Mraz flee, he followed him a short distance and was able to get the license plate number of the Volvo.

Mraz was later located and provided his account of the incident. He said a female bicyclist was riding entirely in the northbound lane of Avenue 50 when he pulled up behind her.  He claimed he was not able to safely pass and began honking his horn.  He heard the cyclist tell him she had every right to be there and continued riding.  Mraz claimed that once he was finally able to pass the cyclist struck the passenger side mirror with her hand.  As he drove away, he saw the cyclist still riding her bike.

The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and a warrant for the arrest of Mraz was issued.  On July 6, 2011, Mraz was taken into custody by LAPD officers and charged with assault and hit and run.  He was booked at Metropolitan Detention Center, later posted bond and was released.

The investigation is being conducted by Central Traffic Division detectives.  For further information, please contact Detectives Felix Padilla or Josephine Mapson at 213-972-1825 or the Central Traffic Division watch commander at 213-972-1853.  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.