Charges Filed Against 23 Year Old Unlicensed Driver who Fled Scene

12 Year Clifton Student in Critical but Stable Condition at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital
Charges Filed Against 23 Year Old Unlicensed Driver who Fled Scene

By Terry Miller and Susan Motander

Lt. Michael Lee, Commander of the Monrovia Police Department Detective Bureau, said Tuesday, that a charge of felony hit and run driving (a violation of 20001 of the Vehicle Code) was filed against Emma Tapia-Gonzales. In addition, the suspect was charged with violations of 12500 VC (driving without a license) and 16028(c) VC (no proof of insurance). According to Lee, Tapia-Gonzales is being held in lieu of bond. Her bail had been $100,000, but was reduced to $50,000 by the court, but that the suspect has not yet been able to make bail.
On Friday, January 27, 2012, at 3:51 p.m., the Monrovia Police Department received a call of an injury traffic collision at Huntington Drive and Canyon Blvd Officers determined an twelve-year-old female had attempted to cross the road and had been struck by a passing car. The child was severely injured and is now hospitalized at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Witnesses observed a pearl white Infinity, possibly a 2004, 30 model or a similar vehicle, strike the child. The driver fled without stopping at the scene, continuing west on Huntington, south on Myrtle and then West on the 210 Foothill Freeway.
After leaving the scene of the accident on Huntington Drive Friday afternoon, police tracked down and arrested Emma Tapia-Gonzalez, 23, of Monrovia on suspicion of hit-and-run, She does not have a driver’s license. Tapia-Gonzalez was arrested her just before 8 p.m in Duarte, although she lives in Monrovia.
Tapia-Gonzalez was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail pending her initial appearance in Pasadena Superior Court.
The Monrovia victim – Bernice De La Torre – was crossing south across Huntington Drive at Canyon Boulevard shortly before 4 p.m. Friday with a group of about four other elementary school-age siblings and friends when she was struck by a westbound Infinity. Tapia-Gonzales fled the scene. Immediately Bernice’s 14 year-old sister Erica, rushed to her aid and is now undergoing counseling for the trauma she witnessed and is apparently blaming herself for the accident, according to her 18-year-old sister Miriam De La Torre.
Miriam told Beacon Media that her sister Bernice is heavily sedated but is making some progress and seems to respond to some simple commands. She has had surgery on her left leg and in addition has had some brain surgery as a result of the traffic collision. She is slated for another procedure Thursday. As of the present time there is no estimated release date from the hospital.
Miriam told The Weekly that a recent Cat Scan found nothing abnormal in her brain activity
The family thanks everyone for the cards and well-wishes and asks the community to continue to pray for Bernice
If you care to help the family in this crisis, please contact Miriam via email at : miriamdelatorre29@hotmail.com
Anyone with additional information about this collision please call the Watch Commander at the Monrovia Police Department. 626-256-8000

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