Los Angeles, CA (November 22, 2024) – On the evening of Friday, November 22, 2024, Jonathan Flores, a 16-year-old honor roll student and athlete from South Los Angeles, was fatally struck in a suspected road rage incident near BMO Stadium in Exposition Park.
Accident Details: Flores was cycling with friends when a driver allegedly accelerated towards the group, hitting and killing him. Witnesses reported that the altercation began after another cyclist in the group may have accidentally hit the driver’s side mirror. The suspect, described as a man with a goatee driving a black car similar to a Honda, fled the scene.
Investigation: On Sunday, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers served a search warrant at a Los Angeles home, seizing two vehicles—a black 2018 Honda Accord and a blue 2021 BMW sedan. A 28-year-old man has been identified as a person of interest in the case.
Legal Considerations: As a personal injury attorney, I find that this incident raises significant legal questions about accountability in hit-and-run and road rage incidents. If the driver intentionally accelerated towards the group, it could constitute an intentional disregard for human life. Further, fleeing the scene of an accident that results in injury or death is a serious crime under California laws.
Wrongful Death Claim: In addition to any criminal charges, Flores’s family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver if they are found. Such a claim could seek compensation for funeral and burial costs and emotional suffering.
The tragic loss of Jonathan Flores has left his family and community in mourning. My thoughts are with his family and friends as they seek justice and healing during this unimaginable time.
Source: CBS News