Suspect Killed In Deputy-Involved Pursuit In Inglewood
INGLEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A pursuit suspect was struck and killed by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department patrol car early Monday morning.
The accident, which happened around 1:30 a.m. in the 3500 block of West 107th Street near Prairie Avenue, occurred when a cruiser with two deputies inside hit a suspect they were pursuing on a bike.
"They attempted to make an enforcement stop. Initially the individual complied, but then he took off on a bicycle," Lt. James Madia Inglewood Police Dept. said.
Authorities said the deputies chased Certa about a block before the car and bicycle collided.
Alfonso Cerda, 44, was headed to a friend's house, according his live-in girlfriend Adrianna Garcia.
"He had three beautiful kids of his own from another relationship. He had a lot to look forward to – he was only 44-years-old," Garcia said.
Certa was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to authorities.
The accident happened on the border between Lennox and Inglewood, which is why both the Inglewood Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are involved.
Early reports said the deputies believed the father of three was carrying a handgun, but investigators have yet to find a weapon.
"Our traffic team is out here. They do fatal collisions, and they are very good at what they do," Madia said.
The reason Certa was stopped and why deputies pursued him is still unknown.
