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Dec 3, 2020
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, DLG’s Chief Investigator and SAJE Team member, Detective Moses Castillo, initiated an act of kindness for a local family who had been tragically impacted by a car accident.
In April 2019, a pedestrian collision involving two young girls – Marlene and Amy Lorenzo (14 and 12) – turned fatal after they were struck by a dump truck while crossing the street on their way to school.
Detective Moses investigated that case, which resulted in the truck driver being charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter. He has kept in close contact with the family since the incident.
Together with his three sons, Castillo visited the family of the young girls on Thanksgiving. He provided some relief by donating food, household goods, and cash to the girls’ parents, who have reportedly lost factory work this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout his tenure as a LAPD Central Traffic Division detective, Castillo investigated hundreds of car and pedestrian accident cases, helping to close some of the city’s most high-profile traffic collisions. He witnessed the devastation of car accidents firsthand on countless occasions, including the difficulty involved in losing a loved one, particularly when the case remains unsolved. Over the years, Detective Moses has made a concerted effort to offer his support to car accident victims, providing assistance above and beyond the standard call of duty whenever possible.
This year’s Thanksgiving act of kindness is one of many examples of Detective Moses helping residents of Los Angeles throughout more than 30 years of public service. It’s indicative of the genuine compassion and empathy Castillo applies to each and every case he investigates with Dordulian Law Group, and the kind of personal attention and service our firm provides to clients.
Let’s take a look at some of Detective Castillo’s previous cases, and review the advantages of having a former LAPD Central Traffic detective investigate your car accident claim.
A January 2019 case involved a female driver traveling approximately 35-40 miles per hour in the Westlake district of Los Angeles, near Sixth and Grand View streets. The woman was operating the vehicle while checking her WhatsApp messages.
While reading the messages and driving, she failed to notice a 65-year-old man walking in the marked crosswalk. The vehicle struck the man, killing him instantly in what witnesses described as a graphic scene.
“It was determined that [the woman] was looking at her messages on her cellphone when the collision occurred,” police said in a public statement. “She remained at the scene and attempted to render aid as required by law.”
Police subsequently charged the woman, 38, with felony vehicular manslaughter, which carries a sentence of up to six years.
In this particular scenario, the family of the pedestrian victim could bring a wrongful death civil lawsuit against the driver.
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.
In March 2019, a woman was entering her parked car on Jefferson Boulevard in Los Angeles, just east of San Pedro Street, when an oncoming vehicle suddenly struck her. The driver sped away from the scene, abandoning his vehicle approximately two blocks from the accident.
Central Traffic Division (CTD) detectives, including Chief Investigator Castillo, were able to locate video footage from a nearby surveillance camera. Through that footage, police rendered a still image of the man’s face as he ran from the scene. The man was identified as Paulino Diego Pedro, a 30-year-old male with family residing in Los Angeles and Riverside Counties. Despite the identification, Pedro remains at large.
Sadly, the hit-and-run victim sustained severe injuries requiring her foot to be amputated. She survived, but faces a long road to recovery.
In this scenario, the pedestrian victim could bring a civil lawsuit against the driver seeking damages related to medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages or earning capacity, psychological trauma, etc.
Due to the severity of this case and the responsible party never being brought to justice, legislation was enacted by the Los Angeles City Council in April 2015. The council amended the Los Angeles Administrative Code and created a Hit and Run Reward Program Trust Fund. Currently, a reward of up to $25,000 is available to community members who provide information leading to the offender’s identification, apprehension, and conviction, or resolution through a civil compromise.
If you have information regarding this case, please call the LAPD Tip Line at 877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). To remain anonymous, contact the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Detective Castillo helped solve a May 2019 hit-and-run that occurred in the East Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. In this particular case, a male pedestrian was struck by a Honda Accord while crossing Hollywood Boulevard near Vermont Avenue.
The woman driving the vehicle was exiting a nearby gas station parking lot when the accident took place. She suddenly slammed into the pedestrian, reportedly with such force that the man was thrown onto the hood of the vehicle, up the windshield, and over the roof before catapulting into the air and eventually hitting the ground.
Video footage helped identify the driver, and after her image was displayed on various news broadcasts, she surrendered to police. Authorities arrested her on suspicion of felony hit-and-run in the crash that left the man with serious injuries.
“My friend who was watching thought I was dead,” the injured pedestrian told reporters.
More than two weeks after the accident, KTLA reported that the victim was still suffering from the injuries, wearing a knee brace on his left leg while walking with the aid of crutches.
In this scenario, the pedestrian victim could file a civil lawsuit against the negligent driver for various damages, including medical expenses and lost wages.
Schedule an appointment online for a free consultation today, or call us directly to speak to our top-rated, expert car accident attorneys.
Detective Moses officially joined the DLG team earlier this year, and has proven to be an invaluable asset during the investigative process of all personal injury cases, including car accidents and wrongful death claims. Clients who choose Dordulian Law Group have peace of mind knowing their car accident case is investigated by a professional who will uncover all pertinent details that can help bring the claim to a successful conclusion.
When injuries or fatalities occur following car accidents, victims deserve to have their cases handled by experts to ensure they recover a maximum financial damages award.
Pursuing a car accident or wrongful death case involves proving negligence, and it’s important to utilize every available advantage to increase the likelihood of success. One of DLG’s greatest advantages is having cases litigated by an experienced personal injury attorney, former Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, Samuel Dordulian. Additionally, having a seasoned former detective involved in each investigation gives DLG clients a unique advantage that can make a world of difference.
With a former LAPD detective supervisor on your side, you can be confident your case is investigated thoroughly, and with the kind of attention to detail that can ultimately have a significant impact on a damages award. The difference between hundreds of thousands of dollars and hundreds of millions of dollars often comes down to a firm’s investigative prowess. Don’t settle for anything less than the DLG advantage.
Don’t wait to file a claim for your auto accident injury. Contact our top-rated, expert accident attorneys online or by phone today.
Contact us today for a free consultation via 855-804-9636 to discuss your case, whether a car accident, sexual assault crime, wrongful death claim, or other personal injury matter. We have over two decades of experience fighting and winning for injured clients, recovering over $200 million in settlements and verdicts.
Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years' experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.
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