38-year-old Ryan Payne victim of September 29 collision involving drunk driver
By Sam Catanzaro
The Los Angeles coroner says a 38-year-old homeless man was the victim of a recent collision involving a drunk driver.
According to Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Senior Lead Officer Matt Kirk, the incident was reported on September 29 around 9:45 p.m. in Brentwood Glenn.
“The person was traveling South on Church lane when they were struck from behind by the suspect who was driving a Mercedes vehicle. After striking the victim on the bike she continued south and struck a parked car where the vehicle came to rest,” Kirk wrote in an email.
According to Kirk, both the suspect and passenger exited the vehicle and were met by VA police who had heard the crash and responded from the pathway that leads onto VA property. VA police then contacted LAPD.
“[An] Officer stated that there was a strong odor of alcohol on the driver at which time she was placed under arrest for DUI,” Kirk said.
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, the victim was 38-year-old Ryan Payne who died of multiple blunt force traumatic injuries. Coroner Public Information Officer Sarah Ardalani told the Brentwood News that “the decedent was homeless.”
