Alcohol was a factor in a hit-and-run crash that left a 77-year-old bicyclist dead in Griffith Park Saturday afternoon, authorities said.
The crash was reported about 3:45 p.m. as the bicyclist was heading north on Crystal Springs Drive, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The victim was struck by a gray BMW and died at the scene. He was identified as Andrew Jelmert, an avid cyclist.
The driver got out of the car and ran away without helping the bicyclist or identifying himself.
Witnesses at the scene helped responding officers find the driver, who was arrested and booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter. Police said alcohol was a factor in the crash, but did not elaborate.
The suspect was identified Monday as 37-year-old Jairo Martinez. He remains in custody on $617,500 bail, booking records show.
A makeshift memorial for Jelmert, that includes a ghost bike, has been set up near the crash site.
Park visitors and cycling advocates have expressed concerns about bike safety in the Griffith Park area.
Damian Kevitt was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle in Griffith Park back in 2013. He lost his leg during the crash and now advocates for cyclist safety through his organization Streets Are for Everyone.
“We really want to see cars phased out of Griffith Park and make this a park for the people to enjoy, not to be scared of,” Kevitt told KTLA.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who represents the area where the crash occurred, said in a statement that she was devastated to learn about the fatal incident.
“Cycling in this City should never be a life or death calculation, and it is our job as City leaders to create streets that serve the needs of everyone,” the statement read. “My team and I were already considering Crystal Springs Drive as part of a series of safety improvements across the district to prevent tragedies like this from occurring, and we will continue that work with greater urgency. There is no time to waste.”
