Motorcycle Crash Leaves 13-Year-Old Boy Critically Injured and Amputated in Boyle Heights
A hit-and-run collision left a 13-year-old boy critically injured and without his right leg in Boyle Heights on Thursday afternoon. The injured young boy was identified as Joshua Mora, an eighth-grade student at Hollenbeck Middle School.
Mora was struck by a motorcyclist near the intersection of Whittier Boulevard and Orme Avenue around 3:27 p.m., as reported by the Los Angeles Police Department. The impact had detached the child's leg, leaving him hospitalized with severe injuries.
The suspect, described as a white male, was riding his motorcycle when he lost control and hit Mora, who was using a pedestrian crossing at that time, according to authorities. The suspect "slid approximately 80 feet before stopping," police said. He then fled the scene, leaving the injured boy behind.
Locals in the area say that the collision occurred at an intersection known to be dangerous. The only pedestrian crossing does not have visible traffic signal lights or signs.
A woman who worked at a nearby restaurant told KTLA that the boy appeared to be in shock moments after the accident and was struggling to get up but couldn't. She called the police for help, and paramedics arrived shortly after.
A nearby business shared surveillance footage of what is believed to be the motorcyclist seen just before the collision. The suspect was heading east on Whittier Boulevard.
Residents say they have been appealing to city leaders and local representatives for quite some time to improve conditions at the intersection.
Danny Zelaya works at the nearby Boulevard Café and says that a car almost hit him while using the same crossing recently.
"It's dangerous. People don't stop," Zelaya said. "They need to have a light. [The pedestrian crosswalk] is not enough. It's not safe."
"It's extremely dangerous," said Angela Funk, a resident of Boyle Heights. "Sometimes, I have to signal for people to stop. There's a high school and a middle school across the street. I'm very saddened that someone was injured."
Residents say they would like to see a traffic light or stop signs installed at the pedestrian crossing, or at the very least, some flashing lights that pedestrians can activate with a button.
The child remains in stable condition on Thursday night, confirmed his family. The suspect remains at large.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Daniel Ramirez at 213-833-3713 or by email at 39299@lapd.online. Anonymous tips can be sent to "L.A. Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Residents in the area are outraged and are calling for immediate solutions to prevent further tragedies at the intersection. Lack of safety measures and speeding are some of the factors that have contributed to making this crossing a dangerous area.
The accident has shocked the community and has generated a lot of comments on social media. Most people have expressed their solidarity with the boy's family and have called for justice for the person responsible for the collision.
Police have promised to do everything possible to find the suspect and bring him to justice. A reward of $25,000 has been offered for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
This tragic accident highlights the need to improve road safety in the city and to take more effective measures to prevent these types of incidents. Local authorities must take immediate steps to make this crossing safer for pedestrians and drivers alike.
Originally posted at Liga Legal® Abogados
