Fire official charged in hit-and-run

A Los Angeles Fire Department assistant chief, his wife and their son were charged Monday with allegedly trying to cover up a hit-and-run crash.

Assistant Chief Robert Franco, 52, and his wife, Gerri Franco, 48, were charged with one misdemeanor count each of conspiracy, giving false information to an officer and obstructing an investigation involving their 19-year-old son.

Richard Franco was charged with one count each of conspiracy and failing to leave information after a crash, stemming from an incident in November when he allegedly hit two parked cars and flipped his truck in San Pedro, prosecutors said.

According to the city attorney, Richard Franco called his mother after the accident, and both his parents arrived moments later.

Gerri Franco drove her teenage son away, prosecutors said, while Robert Franco stayed behind.

Both parents allegedly gave false information to police and paramedics, saying that Gerri Franco was driving the truck.

andrew.blankstein@

latimes.com