No felony charges will be filed in fatal hit-and-run crash
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office will not file felony charges against a woman who was arrested last month in connection with the hit-and-run crash that killed a Notre Dame High School cross-country runner, it was announced Monday.
Conor Lynch, a 16-year-old junior, was struck and killed Oct. 19 by an 18-year-old woman driving a burgundy SUV. The Notre Dame cross-country team often trains on the sidewalks in the Sherman Oaks neighborhoods surrounding the high school.
Police said they believe Conor may have been trying to catch up with a pack of runners when he was struck by the SUV. Conor was jogging across Woodman Avenue in the middle of a block, and not at a crosswalk, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The motorist, identified as Moran Biton, drove four blocks before she pulled over next to a police car that was in the area on another call. She reportedly told officers, “I think I hit someone.”
Biton was arrested later on suspicion of leaving the scene of an accident. But county prosecutors said that there was no evidence for a felony filing because Biton contacted police and did not conceal any details of the case.
The case has been referred to the Los Angeles city attorney’s office for a possible misdemeanor filing, according to county prosecutors.
Family and friends described Conor as self-assured and helpful — always the first person to stand up and clear the dinner plates.
“He seemed to bring everyone together,” said one of Conor’s aunts, Donnelle Juelsson.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
