Two Suspects Arrested in Los Angeles Road Rage Shooting That Killed 6-Year-Old Boy

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Two Suspects Arrested in Los Angeles Road Rage Shooting That Killed 6-Year-Old Boy

Jun 7, 2021

On May 21, Aiden Leos was gunned down in the back seat of a car driven by his mother on State Route 55 near Chapman Avenue in Orange, California. The six-year-old boy was on his way to kindergarten, and investigators labeled the case an instance of road rage. A “Who Shot Aiden?” reward fund grew to $500,000 in the weeks after the tragic shooting, and on Sunday, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials announced that they had arrested two people in connection with the senseless crime.

Marcus Anthony Eriz, 24, and Wynne Lee, 23, were arrested at their home in Costa Mesa, California, according to a CHP news release. The CHP indicated the two suspects were expected to be charged with murder.

CHP Border Division Chief, Omar Watson, credited an “indescribable outpouring of concern and hundreds of tips” with helping to track down the suspects. Investigators had been searching for the suspected shooters since May 21.
Orange County District Attorney, Todd Spitzer, described the shooting as a “road rage incident” and said the tragedy “has left our entire community devastated,” according to an NBC News report.

“6-year-old Aiden should have been in kindergarten today, but instead his family is getting ready for his funeral tomorrow,” Spitzer said last week.

“On behalf of Border Division Chief Omar Watson, and the Santa Ana Area, we are deeply grateful for the professionalism and tireless commitment of our investigators who have worked on this case from day one to find those responsible for Aiden’s death,” CHP Commissioner, Amanda Rey, said. “While these arrests will not ease the pain of a mother’s loss, my hope is for the Leos family to have some peace of mind and to rest assured the CHP will work with the Orange County District Attorney to bring justice for Aiden.”

Both suspects were being held on $1 million bail and are scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, according to Orange County Jail records.

A Monday afternoon press conference is anticipated, at which time additional information may be made available.

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

Road Rage Drivers Can Be Very Dangerous

As we’ve noted in previous blogs, road rage incidents commonly turn deadly. A road rage incident can include any number of behaviors, including:

  • Erratic lane changes
  • Speeding
  • Hostile gestures
  • Tailgating
  • Problematic lane usage
  • Not using a turn signal
  • Running red lights/not stopping for pedestrians
  • Erratic braking
  • Displaying violent or physically threatening behavior
  • Blocking/bumping/or ramming a vehicle on purpose

If you suspect someone is engaging in road rage, make every effort to allow the driver to pass, or change your route to avoid the other vehicle. Do not attempt to engage a driver experiencing road rage at any time. Once you’re safely removed from the vicinity of the road rage driver, alert authorities to their location and include as many details as possible to help identify the vehicle/individual.

Los Angeles is Ground Zero for Road Rage Incidents

According to a report from TitleMax, Los Angeles is considered the worst city for road rage incidents. Additionally, California is the second-leading state for road rage incident reports, with only Hawaii recording more. The report also reveals that more than half of all traffic fatalities are due to road rage.

TitleMax also identified some behaviors that drivers should try to avoid in an effort to not become a victim of road rage.

Common behaviors which are known to set off angry or aggressive drivers include:

  • Driving slowly in the passing lane
  • Tailgating
  • Cutting people off
  • Illegal passing
  • Rude gesturing
  • Flashing your high beams
  • Speeding or racing

What Can I Do If I’m Confronted by a Road Rage Driver?

If another driver acts aggressively towards you, there are a few recommended steps. According to auto insurance carrier, Geico, if another driver exhibits signs of road rage you should do the following:

  • Stay Away: Safely change lanes, then gradually slow down or even exit the highway to keep a safe distance from the aggressive driver.
  • Don’t Reciprocate: Ignore the temptation to respond to the other driver, as this could cause the situation to escalate. Don’t make eye contact.
  • Don’t Stop: Stopping could lead to a person-to-person confrontation, which could be dangerous. Whenever possible, keep moving.
  • Watch Your Back: If you’re worried that the other driver is following you, keep your doors locked and drive to the nearest police station.

How Can I Sue After a Road Rage Car Accident

Just like typical rollover, T-bone, or hit-and-run car collisions, a road rage car crash constitutes an instance of negligence where a duty of care was broken (through aggressive driving). Therefore, the victim whose car was damaged or who sustained an injury may sue the at-fault aggressive driver by filing a personal injury claim.

Personal injury civil lawsuits are entirely separate from any criminal charges that may be filed in a road rage case. Additionally, the outcome of one lawsuit does not affect the other. By filing a personal injury lawsuit against a road rage driver, you can pursue financial compensation for any physical damage to your vehicle, any medical expenses or rehabilitation, any emotional trauma, and any lost wages that resulted due to your injuries (among other applicable damages).

Road rage victims shouldn’t be responsible for an accident that was caused by another driver’s aggressiveness. Accordingly, the Car Accident Division attorneys at Dordulian Law Group (DLG) are here to advocate on your behalf and fight for a maximum financial damages award following an untimely road rage incident.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll listen to the facts of your road rage case, conduct a thorough investigation led by retired LAPD detective, Moses Castillo, ensure you receive the best available medical care for any injuries, and develop a precise legal strategy that ensures you win your claim and recover a maximum financial damages award.

At DLG, we’ve seen every type of car accident claim imaginable. And with a 98% success record and over $100,000.000 recovered in settlements and verdicts, we’re the absolute best choice for a California car accident case. Our founder and president, Sam Dordulian, previously served as Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County. In that role, Dordulian garnered over 100 jury trial victories. Now he uses that premier level of courtroom experience to fight for injured victims.

Our experienced attorneys can help you pursue a financial award for your personal injury case. Contact us online or by phone for a free consultation today.

And with DLG, you never have to worry about whether your claim might be settled for a lowball figure. We prepare every road rage car accident claim for trial. With Dordulian’s courtroom savvy, at-fault drivers and insurance companies know that they can’t get away with a fast settlement that doesn’t cover future medical care or lost wages. If they don’t agree to maximum financial compensation, we take the case to trial and prove it there.

Moreover, two of our Car Accident Division attorneys previously worked as defense counsel for major auto insurance corporations. With that level of insider experience, our clients are never taken advantage of by the usual dirty tricks and underhanded tactics employed by these major insurance corporations. We effectively counter every move they try by using that insider knowledge and experience. The end result? A larger settlement for you that ensures you make a complete recovery – physically, emotionally, and financially.

Contact us today online or by phone at 866-GO-SEE-SAM to learn more about all the DLG Advantages for road rage car accident victims. We’re here to fight for you and ensure justice is served after an unfortunate road rage incident. When it comes to which law firm will handle your important car accident injury claim, don’t settle for anything less than the DLG Advantage.

Author

Samuel Dordulian

Samuel Dordulian, founder

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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