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Tapia-Gonzalez released unexpectedly on her own recognizance on a misdemeanor charge Despite Being Charged with Felony Hit and Run
Monrovia Weekly Feb 01, 2012
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Bernice De La Torre ( left ) is pictured with one of her sisters Erica at The Monrovia Christmas Parade. Bernice remains in critical condition at Children’s Hospital after Duarte resident Emma Tapia Gonzales struck the child with an Infinity and then fled the scene. Photo courtesy of De La Torre family
12 Year Clifton Student in Critical but Stable Condition at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital after Friday accident
23 Year Duarte Driver who Fled Scene Pleads Guilty
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 was initially being held in lieu of bond. Her bail had been $100,000, but then reduced to $50,000 by the court at least that was the case until Tuesday at 5:30PM when she was released by Judge Terry Smerling. After pleading guilty, Smerling released her on the promise she would return for sentencing March 2.
Apparently Tapia-Gonzalez’ realease on her own recognizance on a misdemeanor charge was unexpected. Monrovia detectives are trying to find out why she was released on OR when there is a felony charge among others against the suspect.
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, j30 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.
TheMonrovia 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 aparently blaming herself for the accident, according to her 18-year-old sister Miriam dela 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 collission. 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 CatScan found nothing abnormal in her brain activity and
Doctors are encouraged by her progress.
Tapia-Gonzalez faces up to four years in state prison on the hit-and-run charge alone, up to six months for driving without a license, and a fine of $1,000 for having no insurance.
The family wishes to thank everyone for the get well cards and well-wishes and asks the community to continue to pray for Bernice who has been upgraded from critical to stable condition.
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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