Motorist Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Hit-and-Run

A 19-year old man accused of fleeing the scene of a car accident pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of hit-and-run causing death, according to CBS 10 News in San Diego. Bail for Jim Hyuk Byun was set at $1 million, and he faces up to four years in prison if convicted.

According to reports, Byun struck Angel Bojorquez, an 18-year-old grocery store clerk, as he was riding his bicycle home from work. Byun left Bojorquez to die on the side of the road, and he drove away and attempted to destroy some of the evidence on his truck from the bicycle accident. A neighbor of Byun’s noticed the damage to his truck and contacted the authorities.

Byun was initially uncooperative with a California Highway Patrol officer before eventually admitting he hit something, but thought it was a “deer or a mailbox.”

“In this case, we believe that anyone would have known they’d hit a person,” the prosecution argued.

Byun may want to come up with a better defense if he hopes to avoid a conviction. There is never an excuse for fleeing the scene of an accident. If he honestly believed he hit a mailbox or an animal, why did he attempt to destroy the evidence of the accident?

“That makes me feel like it was more like a murder,” said Steve Bojorquez, the victim’s older brother. “It wasn’t an accident, because he knew he hit something. He knew he hit somebody.”

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, contact our office today for a free consultation at (858) 261-5454.

Bonnici Law Group, APC—San Diego wrongful death attorney.