Driver arrested in South LA hit-and-run crash that killed 13-year-old and her child brother

The suspect in a hit-and-run crash in South Los Angeles that killed a 13-year-old boy and his toddler brother has been arrested and charged with homicide, police introduced Thursday, capping a weeklong investigation spanning two states.

The crash occurred Jan. 9 after the motive force of a Mercedes-Benz ran a purple gentle at Most important Avenue and 111th at Broadway-Manchester, hitting a automotive pushed by Deborah Amaya, who was taking her youngsters to her grandmother’s, police stated. The collision killed his two sons, Christopher Amaya-Pineda, 13, and Damian Amaya-Pineda18 months.

“My children have been all the things,” Deborah Amaya advised reporters Thursday. “There wasn’t a day that glided by that I did not remind them that they have been all the things to me. It is unhappy that I am going to by no means see them once more.”

After hitting Amaire’s automotive, the motive force hit two different parked vehicles earlier than his automotive burst into flames, stated LAPD Det. Ryan Moreno. The driving force acquired out and ran away.

“There have been some witnesses and a few good Samaritans who tried to apprehend the suspect, however they have been unsuccessful,” Moreno stated.

Detectives had a “individual of curiosity” on the day of the crash, Moreno stated, and proof on the scene led police to achieve out to Nevada authorities for help. Investigators relied on witnesses to recall key particulars that helped determine the suspect, Taylor Lee Harris, who was arrested on Jan. 20.

Harris, 31, was tracked to a trailer park round Desert Scorching Springs, 100 miles east of Los Angeles, the place LAPD detectives took him into custody.

Harris was charged with two counts of homicide earlier than his arrest. He was booked into the LA County Jail final week and is being held on $4-million bond.

Showing in a Compton courtroom Monday, Harris pleaded not responsible to the costs. His protection lawyer couldn’t be reached for remark.

“I am completely happy that the person has been caught,” Amaya stated at a information convention Thursday the place police introduced the arrest.

“Is he ever going to get my youngsters again? No. Nevertheless it makes me completely happy to know that he will not be capable to do that to the subsequent household or drive recklessly,” she stated with tears in her eyes. “And our objective is for him to spend life in jail, as a result of he did not take our children for 25, 30 years. He took my children for all times.”

This story was initially revealed by Los Angeles Times.