LAPD Crash That Killed Pedestrian Raises 'Serious Concerns:' Chief

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles Police Department patrol vehicle struck and killed a pedestrian in the South Los Angeles area, triggering an ongoing investigation into the officer's driving in the moments leading up to the crash, authorities announced Tuesday.

Authorities are still trying to identify the pedestrian who was killed Friday afternoon in what LAPD Chief Michel Moore described as a concerning incident.

"While we are in the very preliminary stages of the investigation, I have very serious concerns regarding the officer's driving leading up to the collision," LAPD Chief Michel Moore said in a statement on Tuesday. "An Internal Affairs investigation has been initiated, and additional information will be provided as it becomes available."

The crash happened at about 5 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Century Boulevard and McKinley Avenue, according to the LAPD.

The pedestrian was crossing the street outside a marked crosswalk, and the patrol unit had its emergency equipment activated when the collision occurred, according to police.

"A Los Angeles Police Department officer assigned to the Community Safety Partnership Bureau was driving a marked police vehicle eastbound on Century Boulevard with the vehicle's emergency equipment activated," the LAPD said in a written statement.

"As the officer approached the green phased tri-light signal on McKinley Avenue, a pedestrian was crossing southbound Century Boulevard outside of the marked crosswalk, (and) the officer's vehicle collided with the pedestrian."

The officer stopped to render aid, but the person died at a nearby hospital. The pedestrian was not wearing identification and remains unidentified, according to police.

The department's Multi-Disciplinary Collision Investigation Team is investigating the collision and will present the case to the District Attorney's office for filing considerations, police said.

Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact LAPD Traffic Group detectives at 213-486-0690, or 877-LAPD-247 or leave an anonymous tip at Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.