Loved ones are devastated after a man who was heading home from work was struck and killed by an LAPD cruiser in Highland Park.
Gerardo “Jerry” Estrada, 30, was riding his skateboard near the center median of Figueroa Street and Woodside Drive when he was struck by a police SUV shortly before 7:30 p.m. He was ejected from his skateboard and pronounced dead at the scene.
A Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson said officers were responding with lights and sirens to a perimeter on Figueroa Street and Piemont Avenue for a parolee at large when the fatal crash occurred.
Estrada’s mother, Rosa Cazares, said her son was heading home from work that night and lived just a few minutes away from where he was killed. She described him as a bright light and a free spirit.
“He was a wonderful kid,” Cazares told KTLA’s Sara Welch. “A wonderful brother and uncle, too.”
Although authorities have not confirmed the speed the officer was driving at, they claimed the officers weren’t driving excessively fast.
However, witnesses who were attending a carnival at nearby Sycamore Grove Park said the impact was so loud, they initially thought two cars had collided.
“There are witnesses all around here and they’ve been talking,” said Jerry Perez, Estrada’s friend. “They saw it happen, that a cop was going by fast and all of a sudden, they heard something being hit hard.”
A vigil was held Saturday night, where friends, family and community members gathered to honor Estrada.
“He treated everyone with kindness,” said Rachel Davalos, Estrada’s friend. “Just a really sweet guy. A stand-up person with good ethics and morals and stood for what was right and good.”
Estrada worked as a host and bartender at a restaurant in the Arts District. He had a degree from Santa Monica College and dreamed of a career in photography and film.
“He loved music,” his mother said. “His passion was taking pictures with a little bit of filming here and there.”
As the investigation surrounding the deadly crash continues, Estrada’s loved ones said they are anxiously awaiting answers from investigators.
“I just want answers, that’s it,” Cazares said. “I want answers for peace of mind.”
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