GPD makes arrest in fatal hit and run

(Tex Texin/Wikicommons)

By Brett Callwood

The Gardena Police Department released a statement last week to report that they had booked Marian James, 29, for Manslaughter following a traffic collision on the morning of Sunday, February 2 that killed the other driver.

At 7:38 a.m. that day, “the Gardena Police Department responded to reports of a traffic collision involving two vehicles near the intersection of Van Ness Avenue and 135th Street,” the statement read. “Upon arrival, officers located two vehicles that had just collided. One driver was still in the vehicle but was unresponsive. The Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived on scene to render aid and determined the unresponsive driver had succumbed to injuries suffered during the collision.”

L.A. County Paramedics pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. However, the other driver, James, had fled the scene.

“Shortly after, LAPD officers located and placed James under arrest outside of her home in the City of Los Angeles,” the report states. “James was later booked at the Gardena Police Department for Manslaughter. A preliminary investigation indicated James was traveling southbound on Van Ness Ave when she ran the red light at 135th Street, colliding with the second vehicle, which was traveling eastbound on 135th street. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The collision is being investigated by the Gardena Police Department’s Traffic Bureau and the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.”

Witnesses or people with information are urged to contact Sergeant Daniel Guzzo (310) 217-
6122 or Investigator Jose Zamudio (310) 217-6189. The case reference ID is DR T25-489.