Through investigation, police learned that Powell was attempting to walk across the street outside of a crosswalk when a vehicle struck him
Winnetka, CA – The 12-year-old boy who was hit and killed by a vehicle while walking across a street in Winnetka early Monday morning has been identified as Louis Powell Jr., according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office.
At about 2:49 a.m. December 22, authorities were called to the scene of an accident in the area of Saticoy Street and Winnetka Avenue.
The Los Angeles Police Department and firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after and found the boy who had been hit by a vehicle.
Through investigation, police learned that Powell was attempting to walk across the street outside of a crosswalk when a vehicle struck him.
Medics pronounced Powell deceased at the scene.
The involved motorist was at the scene when authorities arrived. Police determined that alcohol and/or drugs played a role in the incident and the driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
A further investigation into the acccident is still ongoing.
Los Angeles consistently records a high volume of traffic collisions, injuries, and fatalities compared to other California cities, though recent data indicates a downward trend in total victims and an improvement in the city's relative ranking according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). Historically, Los Angeles held the worst (1/15) OTS ranking in 2018 and 2019, with over 35,000 victims killed and injured annually. The numbers have significantly decreased since then, with 8,944 victims killed or injured in 2022, which improved the city's ranking to 14/15 (where a lower rank indicates worse safety performance). Preliminary data suggests traffic-related deaths in the city have remained high in recent years, with 336 fatalities in 2023. Key crash factors identified by the OTS and related data sources include unsafe speed and impaired driving, which remain primary causes of serious and fatal collisions. Vulnerable road users are disproportionately affected; pedestrians account for over one-third of traffic deaths. In 2022, there were 1,524 pedestrian and 475 bicyclist victims killed or injured in Los Angeles. The city has implemented the Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic deaths by 2025, focusing on infrastructure improvements and policy changes.
Seek Legal Help from Pacific Attorney Group
Pacific Attorney Group hopes and prays that the family of the boy killed in this crash will find peace during these difficult moments. If your loved one died in this pedestrian accident, you may have the right to seek compensation for the wrongful death of your family member. To learn more about your legal options, visit our Los Angeles car accident lawyer page.