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Sheriff’s
Dept. Seeks Help in Locating Fatal Hit-and-run Suspect
Florencio Zendejas
is wanted in connection with a hit-and-run accident that took the life
of a 15-year-old girl and injured three others
By
Allison Jean Eaton
Bulletin
Editor
COMPTON – Detectives
are seeking the public’s help in locating a Compton man who
faces vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run charges after
crashing his van earlier this month into a local taco stand, leaving
one dead and three others injured.
On Aug. 9, Florencio Zendejas, 52, deliberately drove his 1995 Red
GMC Safari van into a taco stand at 1709 N. Willowbrook Ave., authorities
said. In the process, he killed a 15-year-old girl, seriously injured her
13-year-old sister and left two adult females with minor to moderate injuries.
The victims’ names are not being released at the request of their
families, said Compton Station Capt. William Ryan.
After ramming the food stand, Zendejas sped away and eventually crashed
the van near the intersection of Oris Street and Aranbe Avenue, close his
residence in the 2000 block of East Oris. The suspect exited the vehicle
and was last seen walking northward and out of view, according to witnesses.
Zendejas, a male Latino, is 5’7” tall and weighs approximately
176 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes and is a legal resident immigrant.
Both witnesses and victims identified him as the driver of the van.
According to Detective Danny E. Coon, the lead investigator in the
case, Zendejas is believed to still be in the South Los Angeles area.
“He had a job at a furniture in Lynwood and is part of the carpenters’ union,” Coon
said. There is, however, a “slight possibility” Zendejas has
fled to Mexico.
Coon explained that surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts
have led authorities to believe that the incident was not accidental.
“After viewing the video and talking to several witnesses, we’ve
come to the conclusion that it was deliberate,” Coon said. “In
the video, the van pulls up to a small taco stand and then backs up into
a
parking stall like he was going to park. He then puts the vehicle
into forward gear, begins to pull out and steers a little to the left before
accelerating into the taco stand.”
The suspect immediately backed the van out of the taco stand, ran
into a truck and sped away.
“We believe the suspect knew all his victims, and they all live in
the same small area,” Coon said, adding that the 15-year-old who
was killed, her sister and another 25-year-old victim are not believed
to be Zendejas’ intended targets.
Zendejas frequented the adjacent Alatorre Market, Coon said. In fact,
he had shopped at the market just a few hours prior to the incident to
purchase beverages for a party.
An exact motive, Coon said, is still unknown.
Except for two DUI charges received nearly five years ago, Zendejas’ record
is clean, Coon said, adding that it’s possible the suspect was under
the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time, Coon said.
A probable-cause arrest warrant was issued last week with bail set
at $100,000.
“We’re asking anyone who knows the whereabouts of this suspect
to please call the station,” Capt. Ryan said.
That number is (310) 605-5500. Callers are welcome to give anonymous
tips.
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