Fleeing Father’s Day Hit-and-Run Driver Deported back to US, Charged with Murder
Photo: Maritza Lara
NORTH HILLS – A DUI crash this summer resulted in the death of a man, announced the Los Angeles County District Attorney. Not only did Maritza Lara (27) of Van Nuys crash into a man and drive away, she also allegedly fled the country.
The defendant was later deported by Mexico and returned to the United States, according to Deputy District Attorney Casey Higgins of the DUI Training and Prosecution Section.
walking away
“Lara is charged with running a red light at Haskell Avenue and Parthenia Street and crashing into a car, killing its driver, Francisco Rivas, 48, on June 16th” said Higgins.”The passengers in Lara’s vehicle were severely injured as a result of the crash.”
The deported driver faces one felony count each of murder, hit-and-run driving resulting in death or serious injury to another person, and driving under the influence of alcohol and a drug causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense.
Higgins said the charges include an allegation of causing great bodily injury to the four people in the defendant’s vehicle at the time of the crash.
With bail set at $2.13 million, Lara faces heavy consequences if she is convicted as charged. The fleeing Father’s Day driver faces a possible maximum sentence of 31-years-to-life in state prison.
The case remains under investigation by the LAPD Valley Traffic Division.
