Arcadia Police seeking public’s help in fatal hit and run
Father of victim implores suspect to “do the right thing”
Brian Doherty stood alongside his wife Cindy and other grieving family members including the victim’s wife Jennifer Ruiz as well as detectives at Arcadia Police headquarters Tuesday afternoon. Doherty and his family is pleading for the public’s help in finding the person responsible for killing his 32- year old son Kenneth on May 7 in a hit and run accident.
I’d like to make a plea to the driver himself; he or she has had a few days to think this over and I think the preferred thing is that they come into the police station and discuss this, whatever went on there,” Brian Doherty said. “They won’t be able to go forward in life without doing that … If someone is out there and knows something just think if it was your brother or your son?
The Arcadia Police Department continues to ask the community for any information in locating the suspect and suspect vehicle who struck Kenneth Doherty along Foothill Boulevard in Arcadia, on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, shortly before 8:00 p.m.
“Someone knows something…” was the sentiment echoed at the press conference and “we need anyone who knows something about this crime to come forward,” said Detective Mike Hale APD.
Witnesses’ accounts say both the suspect vehicle and the motorcyclist had been driving erratically and at high speeds on the eastbound 210 Freeway before they both exited at Baldwin Avenue. According to those accounts, the suspect and victim appeared to be yelling at each other, possibly engaged in an argument or road rage incident. The witness lost sight of the suspect vehicle and motorcyclist as they turned and drove east on Foothill Boulevard at a high rate of speed. A witness came upon the downed motorcyclist a short time later.
A passenger-side mirror was located at the scene, broken off from the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect vehicle appears to be a 2002 to 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer with tinted windows. Based on the unique color and parts recovered at the scene, the vehicle is most likely a 2005 or 2006 Lancer Evolution or “Evo”. Surveillance video from the 76 gas station shows the suspect vehicle continuing eastbound on Foothill Boulevard from Santa Anita Avenue, shortly after the collision. However the license plate was unreadable.
While investigators have reached out to local dealerships and online Mitsubishi communities, detectives believe that someone in the community may have additional information on the suspect and suspect vehicle.
Chief investigator on the case is Detective Mike Hale who reiterated what Brian Doherty said at the press conference and asks the suspect to contact the police dept. as soon as possible.
“It basically comes down to doing the right thing,” Hale said. “We’re talking about the loss of a life here. I can tell you first hand I’ve seen the devastation to the family. This person was a father, a brother, a son.”
The Arcadia Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect driver and in locating the suspect vehicle in this tragic, fatal collision.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5150. You can also submit crime tips and information via text, phone, or web to LA Regional Crime Stoppers, 800-222-TIPS (8477). Please reference case #13-2136.
Arcadia Police issued a press release saying “our thoughts and condolences remain with the victim, Kenneth Doherty, 32-years-old, of Los Angeles, and his family. Kenneth died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.
Brian Doherty speaks at an emotional press conference in Arcadia Tuesday afternoon. With his wife, Cindy at his side and other family member including Jennifer Ruiz (Kenneth’s widow), the family of hit and run victim Kenneth Doherty is pleading for the public’s help in locating the person(s) responsible for the death of their son May 7. On the right is lead detective, Mike Hale of Arcadia Police Dept. -Photo by Terry Miller
-Photo by Terry Miller