Suspect In Fatal Hit-And-Run Street Race Crash Surrenders
COMMERCE (CBSLA.com) — Officials say the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run accident that took the life of a man who was a spectator at a street race, surrendered to authorities Saturday.
The accident happened at the intersection of Randolph Street and Eastern Avenue in Commerce around 11 p.m. Thursday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.
According to deputies, 19-year-old Jose Mendoza signaled the start of the race and was standing in the middle of the street when he was hit at a high rate of speed. His friends insist he was just a spectator and that he had nothing to do with starting the race.
Mendoza, of Bell Gardens, was pronounced dead on the scene.
Officials said Saturday at 6:30 p.m,, 21-year-old Hugo Chavez walked into the lobby of the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Station and surrendered to deputies. Chavez is a Bell resident.
East Los Angeles Station Traffic investigator Detective Yee is heading the investigation.
