Full Notification

Los Angeles- On February 11, 2014, at approximately 3:25 a.m., a fatal traffic collision occurred at the intersection of Venice Blvd and Wright Street in Central Area. The collision occurred when the operator of a 120 foot boom lift was maneuvering from Venice Blvd onto Wright Street. At the time of the collision, the operator was inside the lift basket and was approximately 11 feet above the ground. The basket portion was in the number two lane of westbound Venice Blvd when it was struck by an oncoming passenger bus from the Metropolitan Transit Authority. The contact between the bus and the boom lift caused the unsecured left operator to fall to the pavement from the basket.

The lift operator suffered severe head trauma and was taken to California Hospital Medical Center by paramedics from LAFD. Despite lifesaving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and pronounced dead at 7:07 a.m. The identity of the 56 year old boom lift operator has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

The investigation is being conducted by Central Traffic Division Detectives. Anyone with information is asked to contact the LAPD Central Traffic Division Detectives at (213) 833-3713 or Detective Felix Padilla at (213) 486-0753 or the Central Traffic Division Watch Commander at (213) 486-3713. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.