Beloved Los Angeles Street Vendor Jose Rangel Mourned After Stolen Amazon Truck Crash

Beloved Los Angeles Street Vendor Jose Rangel Mourned After Stolen Amazon Truck Crash

Jan 3, 2023

Loved ones and friends gathered Monday at a memorial service for Jose Rangel, a beloved street vendor from South Los Angeles who was struck and killed on February 17 in a hit-and-run accident.

The fatal February 17 collision occurred after an unattended Amazon truck was stolen at around 2:15 p.m. in the area of Woodlawn Avenue and 41st Place, near Gilbert Lindsay Recreation Center, according to an initial Los Angeles Police Department report.

The suspect drove the stolen Amazon truck to an area near East 48th Street and South Main Street. After losing control of the vehicle while traveling at around 33 miles per hour, the stolen Amazon truck crashed into three people on the sidewalk, one of whom was 67-year-old Jose Rangel. Police confirmed that the area street vendor was pinned against a building by the Amazon truck. Rangel was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Right now, we’re coming together as a family and just trying to stay strong during this time that was so unexpected. My dad was a hard worker,” Rangel’s son, who flew in from out of state, told local FOX 11. “We just hope justice prevails.”

The two other victims hit by the stolen Amazon truck were reportedly not seriously injured, according to ABC 7.

Monday’s memorial service was held in Hawthorne, where dozens of family and friends were in attendance to pay their respects to Mr. Rangel.

Rangel’s son, Carlos “Carlitos,” and many of his teammates from the Suenos y Esperanzas (Dreams and Hope) team attended the service in their baseball uniforms.

Jose Rangel was a coach for the Suenos y Esperanzas community program’s baseball team.

According to its Facebook page DREAMS and HOPE (Suenos y Esperanzas):

Offers inclusion and socialization alternatives through music, dance and sports to people with Down syndrome, autism or other conditions that limit a person’s sensory or motor development.

Dordulian Law Group’s Chief Investigator and retired LAPD Central Traffic Division detective, Moses Castillo, attended the memorial service for Rangel.

“It’s a devastating and tragic loss that will impact everyone who loved Jose forever,” Castillo said.

Rangel was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

During a public gathering in remembrance of Rangel on February 19, Edin Enamorato, a street vendor and activist in attendance, expressed sorrow over the tragic loss due to a hit-and-run.

“They loved this man. They loved Jose. He would sell tools and clothes, kids toys. … A lot of people couldn’t even get their sentences done without bursting into tears,” Enamorato told CBS Los Angeles.

City Councilman De Mille Price also attended the vigil. Price spoke to the crowd and “promised he would get to work on a few things in order to try and increase safety for street vendors, starting with slowing down traffic in the area,” according to CBS Los Angeles.

Price also indicated that his office would be assisting the Rangel family with any expenses following the tragic hit-and-run.

February 17 Stolen Amazon Truck Hit-and-Run in Los Angeles

The suspect who stole the Amazon truck that crashed into the group of bystanders reportedly attempted to flee the scene on foot. He was taken into custody by law enforcement officials shortly after the fatal accident occurred, according to the LAPD.

The suspect was identified as 37-year-old Cristian Ramos Sanchez of Los Angeles. Sanchez was booked on a felony hit-and-run charge, and bail was set at $85,000.

Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Car Accidents Affect Countless Innocent Victims

Hit-and-run car accidents are a common occurrence here in Los Angeles. The factors leading to hit-and-runs can vary, but common causes include:

• Lack of auto insurance
• No valid driver’s license
• Prior incidents (a bad driving record)
• A criminal record
• Fear of confrontation
• Intoxication
• Fear of punishment for any of the above

According to research conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in 2018, the U.S. records an average of 682,000 hit and run incidents per year. Some additional hit-and-run statistics provided by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety include:

• Fatalities related to hit and run accidents have increased annually by more than 7% since 2009.
• In 2015, there were more than 737,000 hit and run accidents, accounting for more than 11% of total traffic accidents.
• Those hit and run incidents resulted in over 138,000 injuries, and more than 1,800 fatalities.
• In California, there were 337 hit and run fatalities in 2016 – the highest figure of any state in the nation.

If you experienced a car accident injury, don’t wait to file a claim. Contact our expert attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.

Pursuing Justice for Jose Rangel’s Tragic Death

Dordulian Law Group (DLG) is proud to be representing the family of Jose Rangel and pursuing the justice they deserve for his senseless and tragic death. DLG’s founder and former Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, Sam Dordulian, called Rangel’s death “deeply saddening.”

“We will fight aggressively on behalf of Mr. Rangel’s family to ensure that justice is served and both the perpetrator and Amazon are held accountable for their roles leading to this tragedy,” Dordulian added.

Dordulian Law Group is a Los Angeles-area firm with more than 25 years of experience helping car accident victims and sexual assault survivors obtain the justice they deserve through maximum financial compensation. Our 98% success record has led to clients being awarded more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts.