NoHo Youth On Moped Rear-Ended, Driver Faces Murder Charge

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA — A young man on a moped-type scooter was killed Thursday when a speeding car crashed into him from behind while he was stopped at a red traffic signal in North Hollywood and the driver, who was believed to have been under the influence of alcohol and drugs, was later arrested on suspicion of murder.

The crash was reported about 5:30 a.m. at Vineland Avenue and Vanowen Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The fatally injured man was identified by the coroner's office as 20- year-old Anthony E. Chay of Sun Valley, according to ABC7.

Video of the collision, recorded by a nearby surveillance camera, showed a red two-door Audi convertible slamming into the victim, who was seated on the scooter. The car also wound up striking an SUV that wound up on its side.

The 24-year-old woman, Jessica Martinez of North Hollywood, who was driving the car, tried to walk from the scene but was followed by witnesses and taken into custody. She was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries and was subsequently arrested on suspicion murder, police said.

The watch commander at the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division said she was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and at least one drug at the time of the crash.

Speed was "definitely a factor" in the crash, LAPD Detective Lisset Fuentes told ABC7 prior to the announcement that Martinez had been arrested.

City News Service