Man Charged In Suspected Road Rage Hit-And-Run That Killed Toddler, Uncle: LA County DA

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Canyon Country man is due in court later this month on murder and other charges stemming from an alleged hit-and-run crash in Playa del Rey that killed a year-old boy and his uncle in May.

Moises Santiago Rodriguezleiva, 28, is charged with two felony counts each of murder and attempted murder and one felony count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death or serious injury to another person, along with one misdemeanor count each of driving when privilege suspended or revoked for failing a blood-alcohol test and driving when privilege suspended or revoked, according to the criminal complaint.

The charges stem from the crash that occurred around 4:35 a.m. May 3 in the 6800 block of Vista Del Mar Avenue, just south of Culver Boulevard.

Rodriguezleiva was allegedly behind the wheel of a Jeep Cherokee heading south on Vista Del Mar when it crossed into northbound lanes and struck a blue 5-series BMW with four family members inside, according to Los Angeles police.

Oswaldo Sandoval Amaya, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the county Medical Examiner's Office. His nephew, Roger Sandoval Farias, died that day at a hospital, according to the Medical Examiner's Office.

Amaya's brother — the child's father — and sister were also injured in the crash, authorities said.

The driver of the Jeep abandoned the crashed vehicle and fled the scene on foot, police said.

Rodriguezleiva was arrested May 6 by Los Angeles police.

Prosecutors had initially referred the case back to police for additional investigation, with the case subsequently being filed June 18.

He pleaded not guilty and remains jailed in lieu of $6 million bail while awaiting his next appearance July 21 at the Airport courthouse, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

City News Service