LOS ANGELES – On February 17, 2022, around 2:00 p.m., an Amazon driver was making a delivery in the 4100 block of Woodlawn Avenue. While making the delivery, 37-year Cristian Ramos Sanchez of Los Angeles entered the unsecured truck. He was able to start the engine and drove off with the truck. The Amazon driver called 9-1-1 to report the theft.
Around 2:10 p.m., Sanchez was driving the stolen truck south on Main Street, passing 47th Place, when he became involved in a crash. Sanchez crashed into a parked vehicle which pushed that vehicle south into additional parked vehicles, causing an accordion-style crash. The truck drove up onto the sidewalk, struck three male Hispanic pedestrians, and came to rest after colliding into a building. Two of the pedestrians sustained minor injuries and refused any medical treatment. The third, a 57-year old, was immediately killed by the truck. The Los Angeles County Coroner will release the victim’s identity, following notification to next of kin.
Sanchez, who had fled on foot, was followed by community members who called 9-1-1. A Los Angeles Police Department airship responded and located Sanchez in the area of 51st Street and Broadway. Patrol officers were directed to Sanchez, and he was taken into custody.
Sanchez was booked for 20001(a) of the California Vehicle Code, Felony Hit and Run, and housed at the Los Angele County Sheriff – Twin Towers, under Booking No. 6327311. His bail has been set for $85,000. He is scheduled to be arraigned on February 22, 2022, Department 30, at the Clara Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
When involved in a traffic collision, we would like to remind everybody to stop and check on the other parties, make sure they are not injured, call 9-1-1 if they need medical attention, and exchange information. Don’t convert a traffic accident into a crime.
Anyone with information is asked to, please contact Detective Juan Campos, Central Traffic Detectives, at (213) 833-3713 or e-mail him at 31480@lapd.online. During non-business hours or weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-2228477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip.