LAPD solved only 8 percent of hit-and-runs last year. Here’s why it’s so hard

Los Angeles Daily News ^ | June 3, 2018 | Brenda Gazzar

[artichokegrower]

Michael MacDonald was riding his bicycle near Los Angeles’ Miracle Mile when he was allegedly struck by a honking Mercedes driver who fled the scene in March of 2015.

The collision at San Vicente Boulevard and Masselin Avenue, which involved the car’s side mirror, left the architect lying in the middle of the street dazed and hurting. He was hospitalized with minor injuries, including abrasions and leg pain.

Although a witness in another car was able to follow the Mercedes and jot down the license plate number, no arrests were made and no charges were ever filed.

[artichokegrower]

In 2017, police identified a suspect – or solved – only 8 percent of all reported hit-and-runs in the city, according to data provided by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Yeah let's give illegal aliens driver's licenses. What could go wrong?

[Pelham]

“Yeah let’s give illegal aliens driver’s licenses. What could go wrong? “

You’re supposed to give a spoiler alert before posting that.

[fella]

Everybody knows you don’t get in front of rich islamics driving a Mercedes or Beamer.

[ArtDodger]

In Northern Virginia, they don’t even have driver’s licenses. They get in a wreck, they just walk away from their heap and leave others to clean up the mess.

[umgud]

Most illegals don’t drive Mercedes’, but I’d bet most hit and runs or just plain crashes involve illegals. Where I live the cops need to wear running shoes.

[artichokegrower]

Those numbers were “alarming” to Jeri Dye Lynch, whose 16-year-old son Conor Lynch was killed by a hit-and-run driver as he crossed a street in Sherman Oaks in 2010. The 18-year-old driver involved was caught and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor hit-and-run and driving without a license. She was sentenced to probation and community service.
Driving poorly possibly violating traffic laws. Driving without a license, running over somebody. Leaving them to die in the street. Sentenced to probation and community service?

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Sounds as if the Teddy Kennedy defense Kopechne drowning incident the has made it to Los Angeles.

[Hugin]

[Jim from C-Town]

No kidding. Vehicular Homicide is a more likely charge.

[max americana]

Odd. I personally know a hit and run case that happened a year ago. The LAPD accident detectives are lazy (I know one in Santa Monica PD) and they start with sending letters.

They’ll only get on their asses if the victim has an attorney (in L.A., accident attorneys are all over the place), and MOST of the accident attorneys personally know each accident’ or hit and run detectives after many years of dealing with these clowns.

[Dagnabitt]

For all its problems, Los Angeles is still one of the better-functioning cities in Mexico.

[Howie66]

But it’s a pretty safe bet that LAPD does fully access ALL benefits, overtime and perks that are available to them, 100% of the time.

[null and void]

You did notice that the 18 year old driver was not named, didn’t you?

She’s very likely a protected class and will doubtless skip out on community service.

[blackdog]

Two blocks from my house a gold Camry was roaring fast, he then passed my street and was still accelerating to a red light doing over 80 mph. A young black girl was crossing the street with the light. They were still accelerating when they got her. She flew about 20' in the air and about 60 feet down the street. The cops never even bothered looking into it. She had a real fast pulse for about two minutes, then nothing. Just a lump.

Het shoes were at the spot they impacted. So was her cell phone. Other personal effects were strewn in a 100 feet radius with little painted marks where they were found. So very sad.

[null and void]

God rest her soul and comfort her survivors.

[Chauncey Gardiner]

High school classmate was killed by a hit and run driver in the LA area couple years ago. Eye witnesses but driver never found. Would not surprise if it was consistent with this story.

[jjotto]

Mercedes more than a few years old can be had pretty cheap, mainly because they’re maintenance nightmares.

[Seruzawa]

LAPD isn’t investigating burglaries any more. I guess hitandruns are off the table too. But fail to pay a parking ticket.......

[Seruzawa]

Yep. I had one. No more German cars for me. Unnecessarily complex and insanely overpriced parts.

[11th_VA]

The reason it’s so hard is people can’t identify who was driving the car. The down side of tinted windows ...