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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Legislators were urged today to strengthen traffic safety laws in the wake of a hit-and-run motorcycle crash in Boyle Heights that left a13-year-old boy with a severed leg and a Banning man facing probable criminal charges.
The suspect, Erwin Majano, was taken into custody early Tuesday morning in connection with the March 30 hit-and-run on Whittier Boulevard that severely injured Joshua Mora, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Community organizations said they have been pressuring lawmakers and city officials to pass AB-645, legislation that would allow the use of speed safety cameras around schools and well-known dangerous roads such as Whittier Boulevard, KTLA5 reported.
Officials held a Thursday morning news conference at LAPD headquarters regarding the case. ``It's worth someone's life -- it's worth someone's limb -- to slow it down, just a bit,'' activist Damian Kedet said at the news conference. ``Put that phone down. Enough is enough. Legislators: It's time that we acted and prioritized people's lives over the right to speed and text and drive. I'm calling on California legislators -- pass sensible legislation to bring this carnage under control.'' Majano, a 29-year-old Banning resident, was arrested during a joint operation between the Los Angeles and Banning police departments, according to NBC4.
Mora was struck by a motorcycle as he crossed Whittier Boulevard. ``I was in the middle, basically,'' Mora told NBC4. ``That's when I heard the motorcyclist coming in fast. I tried to get out of the way so he wouldn't hit me, and it turns out he took my whole leg.'' People on the scene helped Mora until the paramedics arrived. The teen was taken to a hospital, where he underwent several surgeries. Mora said he's thankful to be alive. ``I'm just thinking about the good things, like me having my family and everything,'' he said. A Gofundme account to help pay Mora's medical expenses had raised more than $37,000 as of Thursday morning.
``He has always loved sports and just having fun!'' the Mora family said on the fundraising page. ``We wanted your support in helping him towards recovery and possibly towards a prosthetic leg.'' The gofundme page can be found at gofundme.com/f/joshua-moras-medical-expenses.