LA County To Pay $2M Over Red-Light Crash Caused By Sheriff’s Deputy

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a $2 million settlement Tuesday in a lawsuit stemming from a 2023 traffic collision involving a sheriff's deputy responding to a call about a gunshot victim.

The settlement resolves the case of Isadoro Villarreal and others against the county, according to a report from the Los Angeles County Contract Cities Liability Trust Fund Claims Board.

The collision occurred about 7:29 p.m. May 1, 2023, as the deputy drove Code 3, with emergency lights and siren activated, toward an intersection while other deputies blocked traffic to expedite the gunshot victim's transport, according to the report.

The deputy was traveling about 25 mph and entered the intersection against a red light, the report states. Although the deputy began clearing the intersection lane by lane, the deputy did not fully do so and collided with the plaintiffs' vehicle after it entered the intersection on a green light.

The deputy was not injured. The plaintiffs complained of pain and were taken to a local medical center.

A county investigation determined that the deputy caused the collision by failing to yield to oncoming traffic, according to the report.

The report cited unsafe speed and the failure to fully clear the intersection as causes of the crash. It said administrative action was taken and the deputy attended training.

"Given the risks and uncertainties of litigation, a full and final settlement of the case is warranted," according to the report.

The Sheriff's Department also issued a departmentwide rebriefing on driving policies and a safety broadcast, according to the report.

The settlement will be paid from the Sheriff's Department Contract Cities Trust Fund budget.

City News Service