Local News in Brief : Police Seek Driver of White Van in Collision That Killed Officer
Police on Saturday were trying to locate the driver of a white van who fled the scene of a traffic accident that killed an off-duty Los Angeles police officer and slightly injured 13 RTD bus passengers in Sun Valley.
The van pulled in front of a pick-up truck driven by Officer James Oyler, 35, on San Fernando Road about 5 p.m. Friday, forcing Oyler to swerve abruptly into the southbound lane, where his truck hit the oncoming bus.
Oyler, a 13-year LAPD veteran assigned to the North Hollywood Division, was pronounced dead at the scene. He is survived by his wife and three children from a previous marriage.
The van driver did not stop after the accident, and police are seeking him for questioning, Sgt. George Ulrich said Saturday. He said witnesses described the van as a white Chevrolet, several years old.
The accident occurred across the street from Serra Memorial Health Center, where four of the bus passengers were taken for treatment of minor injuries. Six other passengers with minor injuries were taken to Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills and San Fernando Community Hospital.
The 10 bus riders were released Friday night, spokesmen for the hospitals said. Three other riders were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
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