Man Riding Bicycle Struck in Police Pursuit at Hooper Ave and 46th Street
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (April 25, 2024) — Jose David Monsalve Rojas, 46, of Colombia, died when he was hit by a stolen car pursued by police while riding a bicycle at Hooper Avenue and 46th Street Los Angeles.
A 46-year-old Colombia man died in the crash at around 6:10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24th, according to a press release by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The victim’s family has a Gofundme account to pay his funeral costs.
Meanwhile, Germaine Smith, 23, was allegedly driving a stolen gold Chevrolet Suburban.
Prior to the fatal crash, the Los Angeles Police Department sent deputies to check on stolen property after a woman reported a burglary the night before. She told authorities her electronic device was coming from a parked SUV at East 48th Street and South Central Avenue.
Police located the SUV parked in front of an apartment at the intersection.
However, the suspect was sitting inside the SUV and took off at high speeds down Central Avenue after police pulled up behind it and flashed their lights.
Police pursued the suspect and chased him on multiple surface streets, but the SUV eventually hit the cyclist and several vehicles before it overturned onto its roof.
The suspect fled the scene on foot and was eventually caught and arrested.
However, Jose David Monsalve Rojas did not survive the crash and died at the scene.
Germaine Smith was booked into jail and faces multiple felony charges including evading police and causing death. His bail was set at $327,000.
Witnesses or anyone with information about the collision may contact LAPD Traffic Group Detectives at (213) 486-0690.
Johnson Attorneys Group does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Furthermore, Johnson Attorneys Group hopes this news information is timely and helpful. Additionally, if you would like to contribute any information, add a GoFundMe page or have legal questions, please call 1-(855) 703-4186 as soon as possible. Our personal injury law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
