Los Angeles Councilwoman’s Field Deputy Injured in Hit-and-Run, Dog Dies
A field deputy for Los Angeles Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky is recovering from serious injuries after being struck by a pickup truck Sunday morning in the Miracle Mile neighborhood, while her dog died as a result of the collision.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of 8th Street and Cloverdale. The field deputy was walking her dog when a Toyota pickup truck allegedly ran a stop sign and struck both of them. The driver and passengers initially stopped, but then fled the scene without offering assistance.
The victim was transported to a local hospital with fractured bones and is currently in serious condition. Sadly, the dog was pronounced dead after being taken to a veterinarian. The female driver of the truck later surrendered to authorities and was booked for felony hit-and-run, but was subsequently cited and released due to Los Angeles County’s no-bail policy for certain offenses – a policy that has drawn scrutiny from some local law enforcement officials.
A representative from Councilmember Yaroslavsky’s office described the incident as “heartbreaking,” adding, “This is a stark reminder of the toll traffic violence takes on Angelenos every year and the urgent need to make our streets safer for everyone who walks, bikes or drives.” Los Angeles has seen a rise in pedestrian and cyclist injuries in recent years, prompting calls for increased traffic safety measures throughout the city, as detailed in the city’s Streets for LA initiative.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
