Suspect in Fatal Gardena Hit-and-Run Arrested

The suspect arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter in connection to a fatal hit-and-run in Gardena has been identified as the daughter of a veteran LAPD officer.  According to KTLA News, the suspect, 22-year-old Vanessa Yanez, was taken into custody  on Wednesday and booked for vehicular manslaughter, perjury, filing a false police report and felony hit and run.  The accident happened on June 26th at about 9:50 p.m. when Yanez' vehicle reportedly struck the bicycle being ridden by Jesse Dotson, a postal worker on his way to work.  Citing official sources, KTLA has reported that Yanez is believed to have struck the victim and then fled the scene without rendering any kind of aid.  Dotson was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where he later died from his injuries.  A tip to the police is apparently what led to the arrest, and anyone with information regarding this accident should contact the Gardena Police Department at 310-217-6189.

Location of the Accident

According to a news report in the Daily Breeze, the accident above happened in the 1000 block of El Segundo Boulevard in Gardena, very near the Executive Inn.  That stretch of roadway is relatively flat, straight and there is no intersection near the location of the accident.  It is unknown precisely how the accident happened or what direction the vehicles were traveling.  Given it was just about 10:00 p.m., there is a good chance that lighting and visibility may have played a role in the collision.  With Yanez fleeing the scene of the crash, and therefore being unavailable for blood and/or drug testing immediately afterward, it is presently unknown whether driver impairment may have contributed to this tragedy.  Fleeing the scene of an accident is generally a sign of consciousness of guilt under the law, and this fact may be used against Yanez in court.  Since her father is a LAPD officer, as has been been for a number of years, it seems a logical inference that Yanez was aware of her legal obligation to remain at the scene and to render aid.  

If you have been injured or a family member has been killed in a hit-and-run accident, compensation may be available even if the driver is never identified.  Contacting an car accident attorney may be the most important step taken toward obtaining civil justice in a wrongful death case like the one above.

SOURCE:  Daughter of Veteran LAPD Officer Arrested In Deadly Gardena Hit-And-Run, KTLA News, July 5, 2013, by Ann Pride