Innocent driver struck, killed by motorist who ran red light

A young man was struck and killed by a speeding SUV that police say ran a red light in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday night.

The collision was reported around 11:15 p.m. when a black BMW SUV was traveling westbound on West Florence Avenue at a high rate of speed, Los Angeles Police Department Detective Gerald Chavarria confirmed.

The SUV then slammed into the side of a gray sedan when it reached the Crenshaw Blvd. intersection.

“We have evidence that it [the SUV] ran the red light,” Chavarria said.

The sedan spun out of control and came to a stop about 70 to 80 feet from the crash site, Chavarria said.

The driver of the sedan, identified only as a 25-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the SUV remained at the scene and was detained in the back of a patrol vehicle.

“We are going to talk to him and determine if any other crimes occurred other than the red light violation,” Chavarria said.

Officers at the scene determined the SUV driver was not under the influence of any drugs or alcoholic beverages.

Witnesses said the SUV driver was possibly racing another vehicle but Chavarria could only confirm that the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed and that any racing allegations would be part of the investigation.

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