Hit-and-Run Driver Charged with Killing a Man Walking along the Street, then Fleeing
LOS ANGELES – $80,000 bail has been set for Maria Perez (dob 10/15/60), of Bell Gardens, for the May 7th crash that killed Byern Smith (51) as he walked along a downtown Los Angeles street. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced that Smith died as a result of his injuries.
For allegedly hitting the man near 7th and Lawrence Streets, then fleeing the scene, Perez has been charged with one felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death, and one misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence.
“If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a possible maximum sentence of five years in custody,” say Prosecutors. “The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges, and is scheduled to return on June 2nd in Department 31 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.”
Case BA487325 remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, Central Traffic Division.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey leads the largest local prosecutor office in the nation. Her staff of nearly 1,000 attorneys, 300 investigators and 800 support staff members is dedicated to protecting the community through the fair and ethical pursuit of justice and the safeguarding of crime victims’ rights.
