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The family of the man killed by Downey police in an October car crash crash has sued the city of Downey, claiming officials tried to hide a fatal hit and run.
Raymond Laval, 48, was hit by an officer from the Downey Police Station near the San Gabriel River Trail in Santa Fe Springs on October 2nd. The crash took place around 8:42pm and Laval was declared dead at 9pm, shortly after Whittier police arrived at the scene
Laval’s family says Downey police officers deliberately fled the scene of the crash, but Downey City says officers are unaware that the person has been attacked.
On Thursday, Laval’s mother Luisa and his three sons, Joseph, Raymund and Matthew, filed an unlawful death lawsuit against the city in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The Whittier Police Department investigated the crash and recommended that officers involved be charged with manslaughter of a vehicle and cause death, according to department spokesman officer Emily Armstrong. Laval lived on the riverbed at the time of the collision and was not resident.
According to a statement provided by Downey, the LA County District Attorney’s Office refused to file criminal charges, and concluded that the crash was a tragic accident. The office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Lavalle’s family claims that officers whose identity was speeding up when Lavalle was attacked have not responded to emergency situations or calls for services. The family alleges that officers fled the scene without stopping aid, as required by law, and Downey alleges they tried to hide the incident by not issuing news releases or notifying the family.
“This family has never contacted this family, so they kept them in the darkness of the circumstances of their father’s death for months.
The city pushed back the family’s allegations, saying officers were chasing the suspect at the time of the crash and didn’t know that the pedestrian had been hit.
“The conflict occurred at a slow speed in a dark area with poor visibility while chasing suspects who were actively avoiding police,” the city said in a statement. “After circling south from Telegraph Road to the entrance to the San Gabriel River Trail, the officer’s vehicle struck a pedestrian sitting on the road. Officers were not aware of the collision and were later declared that the victim had died at the scene.”
In a statement, the Downey Police Department expressed sadness to the victim’s family and friends.
The family claims that officers attacked Lavare while biked down the road towards the San Gabriel River, where Lavare is temporarily staying under the vehicle. A LA County medical inspector ruled his cause of death as trauma of dull force.
“I know my father will give you the last dollars, give you clothes from his back, and give you his last meal. “I know if he was in the same situation. He would have definitely stopped him and cared for him like his brother.”
The complaint states that the family is seeking compensation, general and special damages in the amount determined in court. He also seeks punitive damages against Downey Police Officer once his or her identity is known.
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