Germaine Smith Obituary – A cyclist from Colombia, aged 46, was tragically killed in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning after being struck by a driver who was attempting to flee the scene.
The victim, Jose David Monsalve Rojas, was hit in the Central-Alameda neighborhood by a vehicle allegedly driven by 23-year-old Germaine Smith.
The incident occurred around 6:10 a.m. when officers responded to a report from a woman who had been a victim of a burglary the previous night and was tracking her stolen electronic device.
The suspect’s vehicle, a gold Chevrolet Suburban, was located parked in front of an apartment building on East 48th Street and South Central Avenue.
Upon being approached by the police, the driver of the vehicle sped off down Central Avenue, resulting in a pursuit that ended tragically with the passing cyclist being struck.
The driver, identified as Smith, attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended shortly after. Monsalve Rojas was pronounced dead at the scene and was later identified as a native of Colombia by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. Smith has been taken into custody and is facing charges for felony evading causing death, in addition to other outstanding warrants.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact LAPD Traffic Group Detectives at 213-486-0690.
