Family announces lawsuit against Downey police after an officer killed a pedestrian while on duty

On Tuesday morning, Joseph Lavalle and siblings gathered with their lawyers in front of the Hall of Justice in Downtown LA to demand justice for their father, Raymond Lavalle, who was killed on October 2, 2024 by an on-duty Downey police officer.

Joseph remembered his father as a gentle man who would “give you his last dollar, give you the clothes off his back” because he cared so much about everybody. 

“I know if he was in the same situation he would’ve definitely stopped and cared for him as if he was his own brother,” said Joseph during a press conference announcing the civil lawsuit.

The incident happened around 8:42 pm in Santa Fe Springs, when Raymond was sitting in a roadway near a riverbed.

“After running him over, instead of stopping to see if he was OK, he just kept going and left him there dying like a dog,” said Carrillo. 

From the moment the incident happened, the Whittier Police Department was in charge of the investigation, which was recently closed.

Carrillo said they are alleging that Downey Police Department is covering it up because they never told the family that it was a patrol car or gave them any of the details. 

“All they knew was that it was a fatal hit and run, and so this smells and stinks like a cover-up” said Carrillo.

A fatal accident

In response to the accusation, the Downey Police Department confirmed the officer was involved in the fatal pedestrian collision near the San Gabriel River Trail by Telegraph Road in Santa Fe Springs. 

“The City of Whittier Police Department, which provides police services to the community of Santa Fe Springs, investigated the incident and submitted their findings to the District Attorney’s (DA) Office, which concluded this ‘was a tragic accident’ and declined to file criminal charges,” said the City of Downey in an official statement.

The City of Downey owns and operates  the Downey Police Department. 

The City added that the collision occurred at low speed in a dark area with poor visibility while the officer was pursuing a suspect who was actively evading the police. 

“The officer was not aware of the collision, and the victim was later pronounced deceased on the scene,” added the City. “The City of Downey Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends.”

Carrillo said they are proceeding with the civil lawsuit, filed on May 1, and at the same time, they are demanding that the DA file criminal charges against his officer for what he did.