LONG BEACH, CA — A motorist who allegedly backed up and over three people Monday morning, killing a toddler, has been arrested.
The driver, now identified as Lamont Ivan Russell, 55, of Long Beach, allegedly reversed over a curb and struck the 20-month-old girl, her 45-year-old mother, and her young cousin, all of whom were in front of an apartment building at the 400 block of Maine Avenue, near downtown Long Beach.
“Speed, distraction, and impaired driving appear to have contributed to this collision,” the Long Beach Police Department said in a statement.
Russell was booked into the Long City City Jail on felony vehicular manslaughter, felony DUI, and misdemeanor battery charges. Bail was set at $335,000.
“The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2013 Chevy Captiva was making a turning movement when the vehicle reversed, at a high rate of speed, off the roadway and onto the sidewalk, colliding with the three pedestrians,” police said in a statement Tuesday morning.
Police also said the toddler, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of family members, was pronounced dead after being rushed to a nearby hospital by responding officers.
The girl’s mother, according to family, suffered several broken ribs, while the other child suffered a broken leg. Both were taken to the hospital by the Long Beach Fire Department and are listed in stable condition.
Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact LBPD Collision Investigation Detail Detective Dougherty at (562) 570-7355. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 TIPS” app to your smartphone (available at the Apple App Store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.