Man Dies After Being Struck by Car
A Simi Valley man died from multiple injuries after being struck by a suspected drunk driver about 10:30 p.m. Friday evening on Whitcomb Avenue in Simi Valley.
Raphael Lachmiller, 54, was struck and killed while walking from his car to his family’s house, said Sgt. Ron Lompart of the Simi Valley Police Department.
Michael Rodriguez, 39, of Simi Valley was stopped several blocks from the scene and arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run, drunk driving and evading arrest.
Police said Rodriguez collided with a parked car on Brandon Avenue without stopping. A witness followed the car and saw the suspect hit another parked car, before rounding the corner onto Whitcomb Avenue and hitting Lachmiller.
The suspect continued without stopping, hitting another vehicle before jumping from his car and trying to flee from police, Lompart said.
Rodriguez is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail at the Ventura County Jail.
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