LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Tips from the public led to the arrest today of a 23-year-old driver who allegedly struck and injured a bicyclist in Boyle Heights and fled the scene.
The arrest of Luis Raya-Flores came a day after police released video of the head-on collision, which occurred about 10:30 p.m. last Thursday on Whittier Boulevard near Calzona Street.
Raya-Flores knew why Los Angeles Police Department Detective Juan Campos turned up at his Canoga Park area home and admitted to being the driver, the detective said. Raya-Flores, who was licensed and insured, said he fled because he panicked after hitting the bicyclist, according to Campos.
Raya-Flores was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and was being held in lieu of $80,000 bail, Campos said.
Tips received after the video was released to media outlets led to the vehicle and suspect, according to the detective, who said Raya-Flores had also seen the collision video on the news.
The video showed a white full-sized pickup truck appearing to veer into oncoming lanes before hitting the victim, who was riding east when the truck, headed in the opposite direction, crossed the center divider and struck the cyclist.
``After the collision, the driver failed to stop to render aid, identify himself or herself and fled the scene in the vehicle,'' according to an LAPD statement.
Paramedics took the bicyclist -- a 53-year-old man whose name was withheld -- to a hospital for treatment of what were previously described severe injuries. The victim is now doing well, recovering at home, Campos said.
Witnesses said the pickup truck was being driven at high speed and the driver lost control as he made a turn, leading to the collision, Campos said.