Police Friday arrested an alleged hit-and-run motorist accused of driving off after fatally injuring a passenger on a moped-type scooter in Silver Lake in September.
Roberto A. Garcia-Martinez, 33, of Los Angeles, was booked on an unrelated warrant, and the hit-and-run case against him will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office on Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The hit-and-run occurred about 9 p.m. on Sept. 4 at Glendale Boulevard and Waverly Drive. Esdras Velasquez, 34, died at a hospital on Sept. 10, the LAPD reported.
On Sept. 11, police sought public help to find the gray 2019 BMW 5 Series sedan that they said struck the rear of the scooter.
Surveillance video released by police showed the BMW dragging the scooter, then backing up and briefly stopping before leaving the scene. A man was driving the car, and a female was in the passenger seat, police said.
Several anonymous tips from the public led LAPD detectives to Hemet, where they were assisted by the Hemet Police Department and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department in the recovery of the BMW and "key pieces of the vehicle" at an auto body shop, according to Los Angeles police.
"Detectives are urging the female (BMW) passenger to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation," an LAPD statement says.
Anyone with information about the case was urged to call Detective Moses Castillo of the LAPD's Central Traffic Division at (213) 833-3713 or email him at 30215@lapd.online.
After-hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to (877) 222-TIPS. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling (800)222-TIPS or at lacrimestoppers.org.
