South LA

Driver Arrested in South LA Hit-Run Crash That Killed Boy, 13, and Young Brother

A 35-year-old woman was driving her two sons and daughter to their grandmother's house when they were struck by a speeding Mercedes-Benz sedan driver.

NBC Universal, Inc.

A driver is in custody in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a 13-year-old boy and his young brother earlier this month in a South Los Angeles neighborhood.

The crash on the morning of Jan. 9 at Main Street and 111th Place killed Christopher Amaya-Pineda, 13, and Damian Amaya-Pineda, 18 months. Mother Debbie Amaya, who was driving, and their teenage sister were hospitalized after a silver four-door sedan traveling at high speed collided with the family's vehicle.

Members of the Amaya-Pineda family were at a news conference Thursday when police announced the arrest. The boys' father held large photos of his sons.

"My kids were everything," Deborah Amaya said at the news conference. "There wasn't a day I didn't remind them they were everything to me. It's sad how I'm never going to see them again."

Amaya said she is happy that the driver was caught, but spoke about a future that was taken away in a moment.

"I'm happy that the guy is caught,'' Amaya said. "Is he ever going to bring my children back? No. But, it makes me happy knowing that he's not going to be able to do this no more to the next family or drive reckless. And our goal is for him to serve life in prison, because he didn't just take away our children for 25, 30 years -- he took my kids for life.''

Amaya was driving her two sons and daughter to their grandmother's house when they were hit by the Mercedes-Benz driver who went through a red light, police said. The driver left the scene after getting out of the car.

"The collision caused the victim vehicle to travel off the curb and collide with a parked vehicle," police said in a statement. "The victim vehicle was occupied by a 35-year-old mother with her three children: an 18-month-old boy, a 13-year- old boy, and a 16-year-old girl.''

LAPD Detective Ryan Moreno said several witnesses tried to detain the driver at the scene. The witnesses also tried to help the victims and provided police with crucial information that eventually led to an arrest, Moreno said.

Evidence collected at the scene helped detectives identify a person of interest later that day.

Taylor Harris, 31, was arrested Friday in Desert Hot Springs on suspicion of murder. Bond was set at $4 million.

Anyone with any information on the case was urged to call the South Traffic Division at 323-421-2500. Tipsters may also call 877-LAPD-247, or Crime Stoppers 800-222-TIPS. They also may use the website www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Contact Us