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SAN FERNANDO (CNS) - A man who was allegedly driving a car that struck and killed a motorcyclist in the North Hills area is set to be arraigned next month on murder and hit-and-run charges.
Sandro Edgardo Mendieta, 30, was charged Tuesday with one count each of murder and hit-and-run driving resulting in death or serious injury to another person, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
The crash occurred about 6:40 p.m. last Thursday in the 8600 block of Woodley Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
According to police, the motorcyclist who was riding a 2008 Harley- Davidson was exiting from a private driveway when he was struck by a white 1992 BMW that was speeding.
"The collision caused the motorcyclist to continue in a southwest direction colliding with a parked vehicle," according to a police statement. "The BMW continued in a southeast direction and also collided with a parked vehicle."
The driver of the BMW fled the scene on foot, leaving a passenger inside the car, police said. Paramedics pronounced the motorcyclist, a man in his late 50s, dead at the scene. His name was withheld, pending notification of his relatives.
"Valley Traffic Detectives worked tirelessly to identify the suspect, and learned he was attempting to flee the country to avoid arrest," an LAPD statement said. "Detectives along with the assistance of the LAPD Fugitive Warrant Section, conducted several follow-ups in an attempt to locate Mendieta. Mendieta was located near the Mexican border."
Mendieta lives in the San Fernando Valley, authorities said.
He remains jailed in lieu of just over $2 million bail, according to jail records.
Mendieta is scheduled to appear for arraignment Dec. 5 in a San Fernando courtroom, according to the DA's office.