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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A man was in custody today for allegedly stealing an Amazon delivery truck and crashing the vehicle in South Los Angeles, killing a pedestrian and injuring two others.
Cristian Ramos Sanchez, 37, of Los Angeles was booked on suspicion of felony hit and run, and was being held on $85,000 bail, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.
According to police, an Amazon driver was making a delivery in the 4100 block of Woodlawn Avenue about 2 p.m. Thursday when the truck was stolen.
``Sanchez ... entered the unsecured truck,'' an LAPD statement said. ``He was able to start the engine and drove off with the truck.''
The Amazon driver called 9-1-1 to report the theft, police said.
"Around 2:10 p.m., Sanchez was driving the stolen truck south on Main Street, passing 47th Place, when he became involved in a crash,'' police said.
``Sanchez crashed into a parked vehicle which pushed that vehicle south into additional parked vehicles, causing an accordion-style crash,'' police said. ``The truck drove up onto the sidewalk, struck three male ... pedestrians, and came to rest after colliding into a building.''
A man in his 50s died at the scene. His name was withheld, pending notification of his relatives. The other two pedestrians suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment, police said.
``Sanchez, who had fled on foot, was followed by community members who called 9-1-1,'' police said. ``A Los Angeles Police Department airship responded and located Sanchez in the area of 51st Street and Broadway. Patrol officers were directed to Sanchez, and he was taken into custody.''
Sanchez was preliminary scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 22 at the Clara Foltz Criminal Justice Center, police said.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call Detective Juan Campos of the Central Traffic Division at 213-833-3713 or e-mail him at 31480@lapd.online. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.