LOS ANGELES—A suspected drunk driver was in custody Nov. 20 in connection with a crash that killed a woman and her adult son as they stood near an intersection in the Westlake area.
The crash occurred about 5:20 p.m. Sunday at Wilshire Boulevard and Burlington Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Isaiah Villegas, 31, of Los Angeles was booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, and he was held on $110,000 bail, according to the LAPD and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Mr. Villegas was driving a 2008 Cadillac CTS “at a high rate of speed” eastbound on Wilshire Boulevard when the vehicle went out of control and hit a light pole, according to police.
“The vehicle continued eastbound and struck two pedestrians who were standing near the southeast corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Burlington Avenue,” police said. “Immediately after the traffic collision, the driver of the Cadillac fled the scene on foot and was detained about a block away.
“The initial investigation determined that the driver displayed objective symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol,” police said. “Speed was also a factor in the traffic collision.”
Elio Bautista, Jr., 33, of Los Angeles, died at the scene, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. His 63-year-old mother died at a hospital, police said. Information on her identity was not immediately available.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call police at 213-833-3713 or 877-LAPD-247. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or visit the website.