Conor Lynch (Family photo) |
SHERMAN OAKS (KTLA) -- An 18-year-old driver accused in the hit-and-run death of a 16-year-old Notre Dame High School student is facing two misdemeanor charges in connection with the fatal crash.
18-year-old Monica Biton appeared in a Van Nuys courtroom Tuesday on charges of hit-and-run and driving without a valid California driver's license.
Conor Lynch was running with teammates on city streets around 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 near Woodman Avenue and Addison Street when he was hit.
Investigators believe he was trying to catch up with his fellow runners who had crossed the street on a green light.
Witnesses say Lynch may have attempted to cross the street in a crosswalk after the light turned red.
He was struck by a Hyundai Santa Fe sport utility vehicle driven by Biton, police said.
"We heard the thump. We heard two kids yelling 'Oh my God, oh my God,'" witness Marvin Marshall told KTLA.
Marshall says a doctor got out of his car and began working on Lynch.
"He said his legs were blue and there was nothing else they could do," Marshall said.
Lynch was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say Biton stopped several blocks away where a Los Angeles police officer was on an unrelated call.
According to police officials, she told the officer that she hit someone.
"Technically the law requires that you stop and render aid and she did not do that," LAPD Capt. Bill Sutton told KTLA.
Biton was taken into custody and booked into Van Nuys jail for felony hit and run. She was later released on $50,000 bail. Police say alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in the accident.
Prosecutors say there was no evidence for a felony charge because Biton contacted police and did not conceal any details.
If convicted of the misdemeanor charges, Biton could face up to 18 months in jail.
18-year-old Monica Biton appeared in a Van Nuys courtroom Tuesday on charges of hit-and-run and driving without a valid California driver's license.
Conor Lynch was running with teammates on city streets around 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 near Woodman Avenue and Addison Street when he was hit.
Investigators believe he was trying to catch up with his fellow runners who had crossed the street on a green light.
Witnesses say Lynch may have attempted to cross the street in a crosswalk after the light turned red.
He was struck by a Hyundai Santa Fe sport utility vehicle driven by Biton, police said.
"We heard the thump. We heard two kids yelling 'Oh my God, oh my God,'" witness Marvin Marshall told KTLA.
Marshall says a doctor got out of his car and began working on Lynch.
"He said his legs were blue and there was nothing else they could do," Marshall said.
Lynch was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say Biton stopped several blocks away where a Los Angeles police officer was on an unrelated call.
According to police officials, she told the officer that she hit someone.
"Technically the law requires that you stop and render aid and she did not do that," LAPD Capt. Bill Sutton told KTLA.
Biton was taken into custody and booked into Van Nuys jail for felony hit and run. She was later released on $50,000 bail. Police say alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in the accident.
Prosecutors say there was no evidence for a felony charge because Biton contacted police and did not conceal any details.
If convicted of the misdemeanor charges, Biton could face up to 18 months in jail.
