Prior-DUI Driver Charged with Hit-and-Run Murder at a Charity Bicycle Fundraiser
Photo credit: LA Times
LOS FELIZ – His driving privileges were taken away when he was driving under the influence, the first time. The April 16th random decision to once again get back behind that prohibited wheel allegedly killed a man.
A motorist plowed through a charity fundraising ride this past Saturday. The scene was played out in one of the largest urban parks in North America – the picturesque 4,000+ acre Griffith Park in the eastern end of the sprawling Santa Monica Mountains.
The septuagenarian bicyclist lost his life near the famous Hollywood Sign and the magnificent Griffith Observatory, in the often-filmed land where dreams make cinematic history. In this moment in time – Jairo Martínez (dob 4/15/85) allegedly struck the 77-year-old victim as he drove in Griffith Park on April 16th and then attempted to flee the scene.
Martinez was captured soon thereafter. He faces one felony count each of murder, hit-and-run driving resulting in death to another person, as well as one misdemeanor count of driving when privilege was suspended or revoked for DUI conviction after a prior offense.
“My heart goes out to everyone who grieves for the senseless loss of cyclist Andrew Jelmert,” announced Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón on April 20th. He also emphasized that the murder charge had been filed against the motorist, with the arraignment for case BA504669 scheduled for the 19th – but continued to the 20th in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
“Drunken drivers threaten the safety of us all,” added District Attorney Gascón, “They must be held accountable and their victims given the trauma-informed services they will need to become survivors.”
