(File photo of LAPD Valley Traffic Division - Photo credit Eric Leonard)
A man booked on suspicion of murder - after he allegedly killed a woman in North Hills while fleeing the scene of another car crash - had been removed from the United States to Mexico five times between 1998 and 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Estuardo Alvardo, 45, was arrested Sunday afternoon after the fatal crash at Sepulveda and Plummer Streets and was being held in lieu of $1,050,00 bail, according to jail records.
Prosecutors were expected to consider filing charges Wednesday.
The LAPD said Alvarado was initially involved in a minor wreck at Lassen St. and Sepulveda, and was speeding south to get away when he struck the driver’s side of a Toyota Camry headed east on Plummer.
The woman driving was crushed and died at the scene. She was the sister of an LAPD officer assigned to a nearby station.
Court records show Alvarado has a series of drug sales related convictions dating back to 1990, and investigators said he might have been under the influence of something during Sunday’s events.
“Impairment was a factor in this case and we will be discuss that with the District Attorney’s Office,” said LAPD Valley Traffic Division Detective Bill Bustos.
Federal authorities told KFI NEWS they will try again to deport Alvardo at the conclusion of the murder case.
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer against Mr. Alvarado seeking to take him into custody if an when he is released by local authorities in order to pursue follow-up enforcement action,” the agency said in a statement
.— Eric Leonard (@LeonardFiles)