Motorist Accused of Deserting Hurt Passengers : Accident: A Van Nuys man is arrested after admitting he made no effort to aid four women.

Authorities on Thursday arrested a Van Nuys motorist who is accused of deserting four passengers who were injured, one fatally, after he lost control of his jeep and crashed on a remote road in Angeles National Forest.

Leonardo Reyes, 32, was arrested on charges of felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor manslaughter after admitting that he made no effort to help the four women, all cousins of his, and instead hitched a ride with a passing car, the California Highway Patrol said.

“He told a witness that he left because he was afraid the police would arrest him and never let him out. He just left these people bleeding and dying there,” CHP Investigator Robert Koetting said. “If he had stayed, he wouldn’t be facing jail time . . . at most he would be facing a misdemeanor manslaughter charge.”

If convicted on both charges, Reyes faces two to four years in prison, Koetting said. Reyes was being held at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station in lieu of $50,000 bail.

The accident occurred Jan. 12 about 2:45 p.m. on the Angeles Crest Highway near Mt. Wilson. Reyes lost control of his jeep on a bend in the road and it flipped over, throwing three passengers from the vehicle and trapping one inside, the CHP said. All four women shared an apartment with Reyes in Van Nuys. Authorities said Reyes had not been drinking and was not speeding when the accident occurred.

Olivia Reyes, 22, died from head injuries at the scene. Claudia Reyes, 25; Dominga Rodas, 21, and Salome Rodas, 27, all suffered moderate injuries.

Leonardo Reyes left the scene on foot and flagged down a passing motorist, who gave him a ride to the San Fernando Valley.

“He made no effort to report it at all. He just went home. He didn’t do anything,” Koetting said.

Although Reyes was questioned by the CHP on Jan. 29, charges were not filed until Feb. 16. The delays came after officers decided to examine the trajectory of the vehicle and double-check other unspecified details of the case, Koetting said.

CHP officers left a message at Reyes’ apartment on Wednesday asking him to appear for further questioning. He was arrested when he arrived at the CHP Verdugo Hills office on Thursday.