What:
Press Conference to Announce Reward for Arrest of Hit and Run Suspect

When:
Thursday, May 23, 2002
3:00 p.m.

Where:
Santa Fe Avenue at 14^th Street
Los Angeles

Los Angeles: On Saturday, March 30, 2002, at approximately 3:45 p.m., 50 year-old Ralph James Goering of Montebello, was crossing Santa Fe Avenue at 14^th Street when he was struck by a late model Burgundy Ford Expedition that was traveling north bound on Santa Fe Avenue. Upon impact, Goering was struck so violently that he was tossed completely over the moving sport utility vehicle and thrown upon the roadway.

The hit and run driver then stopped the vehicle momentarily, placed the vehicle in reverse, and backed the truck over Goering’s lifeless body. The driver then sped off north bound Santa Fe Avenue, leaving Goering fatally injured in the roadway.

Transported to USC Medical Center, Goering failed to respond to treatment and died at 6:29 p.m. LAPD Central Traffic Division Detectives are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the hit and run driver. Witnesses said that the vehicle contained several Hispanic males. No vehicle license number was reported. A photograph of Goering and a description of the suspect’s vehicle will be available to the media.

Los Angeles City Council member Nick Pacheco petitioned for, and was granted, a $25,000.00 reward for information leading to the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the death of Ralph James Goering. This investigation is ongoing and is being handled by Central Traffic Division Detectives. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective III Tia Morris or Officer Garcia at (213) 485-3111. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

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