Crime & Safety

L.A. Sheriff's Department Takes Over Hit-and-Run Case

The fate of four local police officers awaits the outcome of two ongoing investigations.

An investigation into the actions of four Manhattan Beach Police Officers last month has been transferred to the Traffic Services unit of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.

The investigation stems from a January 31 hit-and-run incident along Sepulveda Blvd., involving a possibly intoxicated driver.

According to a statement released to the press on February 11 by Manhattan Beach Police Chief Rod Uyeda, three Manhattan Beach Police officers responded to the crash scene at around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 31. The driver of the car that reportedly caused the collision had fled, while the occupants of the two other cars involved in the crash complained of minor injuries. They were treated by Paramedics at the scene.

One of the occupants of a car that was hit later drove to the Arco mini-mart service station along Manhattan Beach Blvd at Dianthus Street, where he noticed the damaged vehicle allegedly involved in the accident. It was parked, though unoccupied, and police were called to the scene. They determined the vehicle was registered to a fellow Manhattan Beach Police officer, said Uyeda in his statement. However, the responding officers did not make a report or seek an arrest.

"My office learned of the collision Monday afternoon (February 1), and I immediately had grave concerns about decisions that were made by police officers involved in the investigation of the collision," said Uyeda. "An independent investigation of the collision was ordered and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department responded and started their own investigation, which is continuing."

Uyeda also launched a concurrent internal affairs investigation within his own department. He then turned that investigation over to the Sheriff's Department as well, citing the "size and complexity" of the case.

Calls to the L.A. County Sheriff's Department seeking comment on the status of the investigations were not returned by the time of this report.

"As a result of our preliminary findings," Uyeda said in his statement, "I have placed four police officers on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of both investigations."

He sought the community's patience and cautioned against rushing to judgment while the investigations continue.

"It is unfortunate that incidents will occur from time to time that will shake the public's faith and trust in their Police Department," he said. "To that end, I would ask that you patiently await the outcome of the investigation before making any judgment on the individuals involved. As with any individual accused of any wrongdoing, they are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise."

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