Los Angeles: On Tuesday, July 30, 2002 at approximately 11:45 p.m., a single vehicle traffic collision claimed the life of a man waiting on the corner for a city bus in West Los Angeles.

The driver of the vehicle, 62 year-old Cloyd Pemberton of Los Angeles, was driving his 2000 Ford Crown Victoria eastbound on Pico Boulevard at the intersection of Beverly Drive. Pemberton, losing control of his vehicle, drove off the roadway at the southeast corner, and continued eastbound on the sidewalk.

Pemberton’s vehicle, which witnesses said was traveling at a high rate of speed, struck a street light, several large potted plants, a bus bench, and two pedestrians waiting at the bus stop. One waiting bus passenger was injured and the other was killed.

20 year-old Los Angeles resident Rafael Lopez Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene.

Driver Pemberton, who attempted to walk away from the collision scene, was detained by witnesses until Los Angeles Police officers arrived. Pemberton was not injured and was booked for 192 ( c ) 1 P.C., Vehicular Manslaughter with Gross Negligence. The other unidentified pedestrian was transported to Cedars Sinai Medical Center where he was treated and released.

West Traffic Division detectives are conducting the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Officer Dan Kemble at 213-473-0227 during normal working hours. On weekends and during off-hours the 24-hou.r toll free number at the Detectives Information Desk is 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This press release was prepared by Officer Jack Richter, Media relations Section, 213-485-3586.