Lawsuit: LASD says video will help determine fault in deadly collision

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded Wednesday to a lawsuit filed on behalf of the biological child and two stepchildren of a videographer who died after his motorcycle was struck by an on-duty sheriff’s deputy in 2021, saying the case is still under investigation.

The suit was brought Monday against Los Angeles County on the children’s behalf by Erica Galindo, guardian for the plaintiffs and the former domestic partner of the late Reymundo Diaz.

“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Mr. Diaz,” an LASD statement read. “This investigation remains active. Surveillance video has been obtained from the scene which will assist investigators in definitively determining the party at fault. We have not yet reviewed this lawsuit. As is standard in pending litigation, under the advice of counsel, we are unable to provide further comment at this time.”

The Los Angeles Superior Court suit alleges negligence/wrongful death and negligent hiring, training and retention, and it seeks unspecified damages as well as compensation for burial and funeral expenses.

At about 4 p.m. on July 29, Diaz was headed home while riding his motorcycle west on Compton Boulevard. Before reaching the intersection with Willowbrook Avenue, Diaz had a conversation with a fellow videographer on a sidewalk, the suit states.

When the two finished speaking, Diaz began riding south on Willowbrook, stopped for about 10 seconds for a red signal and then moved forward when the light turned green, the suit states.

At the same time, a deputy driving at excessive speed — and without his siren or emergency lights on — collided with the right side of Diaz’s motorcycle “in a snap of a second,” according to the suit, which further states the speed limit was 35 mph, but does not indicate whether the deputy is believed to have run a red signal.

The collision was “severe, impactful, and happened swiftly,” and caused Diaz to “fly out of his motorcycle and land at least 15 feet away…” the suit states.

Diaz died later at a hospital, according to the suit, which does not state his age.

The three Diaz children have suffered a loss of love, affection, society, service, comfort, support, right of support, expectations of future support and counseling, companionship, solace and mental support and other benefits, the suit states.