A tragic accident on Jan. 12 left a sheriff’s detective dead and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) in mourning.
The detective, who was not on duty, was stopped for a red light at an intersection in Valley Village (a neighborhood in Los Angeles) on Sunday morning. She saw an elderly woman fall as she was crossing the street. The detective left her car at the intersection and went to assist the woman in getting across the street.
As she returned to her car, another vehicle, which had a green light, hit the detective. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and is reportedly cooperating with authorities. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the crash.
The 41-year-old detective was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
LA County Sheriff Alex Vallanueva said, “We are shocked and stunned by the sudden loss of a family member.” He noted, “It’s a tough day for our department.”
The detective leaves behind a 17-year-old son and 20-year-old son. One son is in the Navy. She’s also survived by her parents.
She held a number of positions throughout the county during her 12 years with the LASD. She started out working at a correctional facility. She also worked as a school resource officer and a deputy sheriff. She was currently a detective in the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. Her colleagues there, where she’d worked for five years, were allowed to go home to grieve.
While pedestrians always legally have the right-of-way, there are times when a driver is simply unable to stop when they encounter a pedestrian when and where they don’t expect one. That’s why a thorough investigation by authorities is necessary.
If you or a loved one has been struck by a vehicle, regardless of whether criminal charges are filed, you may be able to seek compensation in civil court. It’s worthwhile to speak to an attorney to determine what your options are.
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