Authorities on Friday arrested a man accused of driving while under the influence when he crashed into another vehicle, which then fatally struck a pedestrian.
Jacob Gralitzer, 27, has been booked on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence following the incident that happened around 10:30 p.m. Thursday near several businesses on Melrose and Martel avenues.
Gralitzer was heading east on Melrose Avenue in a 2018 Infinity Q60S when he hit a driver coming from the opposite direction and trying to turn left on Martel Avenue in a 2017 Acura MDX, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The Acura ran off the road and struck a pedestrian standing on the sidewalk in the southeast corner of the intersection, LAPD said. The agency initially said the victim had been on an electric scooter when he was struck in a chain-reaction collision.
Both drivers stayed at the scene to talk to police. The L.A. Fire Department responded to the site and took the victim to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, officials said.
Video shows good Samaritans apparently performing CPR on a male individual on the ground before paramedics arrived.
Officials said it’s withholding the victim’s identity pending notification of next of kin.
Anyone with information about the crash can contact detectives at 213-473-0234. Those who wish to remain anonymous can visit LAPDOnline.org or contact Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), using the mobile app “P3 Tips” or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.