Arrest Made In Boyle Heights Hit-And-Run That Severed Teen's Leg

LOS ANGELES -- Legislators were urged today to strengthen traffic safety laws in the wake of a hit-and-run motorcycle crash in Boyle Heights that left a13-year-old boy with a severed leg and a Banning man facing probable criminal charges.

The suspect, Erwin Majano, was taken into custody early Tuesday morning in connection with the March 30 hit-and-run on Whittier Boulevard that severely injured Joshua Mora, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Community organizations said they have been pressuring lawmakers and city officials to pass AB-645, legislation that would allow the use of speed safety cameras around schools and well-known dangerous roads such as Whittier Boulevard, KTLA5 reported.

Officials held a Thursday morning news conference at LAPD headquarters regarding the case.

Majano, a 29-year-old Banning resident, was arrested during a joint operation between the Los Angeles and Banning police departments, according to NBC4.

Mora was struck by a motorcycle as he crossed Whittier Boulevard. People on the scene helped Mora until the paramedics arrived. The teen was taken to a hospital, where he underwent several surgeries.

A Gofundme account to help pay Mora's medical expenses had raised more than $37,000 as of Thursday morning.

``He has always loved sports and just having fun!'' the Mora family said on the fundraising page. ``We wanted your support in helping him towards recovery and possibly towards a prosthetic leg.''

The gofundme page can be found at gofundme.com/f/joshua-moras-medical-
expenses.

-- City News Service