Pedestrian Struck, Killed During Pursuit
Updated 2:54 PM PDT, Thu, Jan 7, 2010
A fleeing motorist accused of striking and killing a pedestrian in a Woodland Hills crosswalk remained jailed Sunday, according to authorities.
The pursuit also resulted in a rear-end collision and gunfire from police. It ended when the driver crashed his 2002 Cadillac into a chain link fence.
The driver, Hector Vidal, 26, is being held without bail.
The coroner's office has not yet released the name of the pedestrian.
California Highway Patrol officers say Vidal sped off after officers tried to stop him on the eastbound Ventura (101) Freeway at Parkway Calabasas for a vehicle code violation, said Los Angeles police spokeswoman Officer Norma Eisenman.
Vidal exited the 101 Freeway at the Topanga Canyon Boulevard exit and then headed east on Ventura Boulevard, with the CHP patrol unit in pursuit.
The sedan made a U-turn and sped west, hitting a pedestrian in the crosswalk at Don Pio Drive, one block east of the Topanga Canyon Boulevard signal, Eisenman said. The pedestrian died at the scene and the Cadillac sped on.
About two miles west on Ventura Boulevard, the sedan rear-ended a sport utility vehicle with four people inside, then came to a stop against a chain-link fence next to the 101 freeway. At some point, an officer fired at leastone shot, but did not hit the driver, according to Eisenman.
Authorities did not say whether Vidal was armed or fired a weapon.
Vidal was eventually arrested, taken to a hospital for treatment and then booked at Van Nuys Jail, said Eisenman. He will likely be charged with murder, the officer said. The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website indicated that he is being held without bail.
The investigation is being handled by the LAPD's Robbery Homicide Division and Valley Traffic investigators. Police asked anyone with information to call the LAPD at 877-527-3247.
First Published: Sep 27, 2009 11:16 AM PDT
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