On September 19, 2025, a tragic traffic collision occurred in Northeast Los Angeles involving a police vehicle and a pedestrian, Gerardo Estrada. This blog post outlines the incident details, the LAPD's investigation procedures, and the ongoing efforts to gather evidence and witness accounts.
Hello and welcome. I am Captain Mike Bland, the commanding officer of the media relations division with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). This critical incident community briefing aims to provide information about a significant traffic crash that occurred in the Northeast Division of Los Angeles on September 19, 2025, at approximately 7:15 p.m. In this post, you will find relevant video footage, evidence, and police procedures related to the case, allowing for a better understanding of the incident based on the current information available.
The traffic crash involved a city vehicle responding to a call for assistance regarding a felony warrant suspect. Officers were traveling northbound on Figuroa Street from Woodside Drive with their emergency lights and sirens activated when they collided with a pedestrian riding a skateboard, later identified as Gerardo Estrada.
When traffic crashes involve a city vehicle, especially those resulting in serious bodily injury or death, the LAPD Traffic Coordination Division's Multidisciplinary Collision Investigation Team (MSIT) takes charge of the investigation. This specialized team consists of traffic investigators trained to conduct thorough investigations, which typically involve:
The investigation into this incident is still in its early stages and may take several months to complete. The LAPD emphasizes that conclusions regarding the officers' actions will not be drawn until all facts are known and the investigation is finalized.
The investigation will include:
Following the collision, officers promptly stopped to render aid and called for a rescue ambulance. They discovered Estrada wedged beneath a parked vehicle and worked to remove him and provide assistance until paramedics arrived. Despite their efforts, Estrada was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.
The body-worn camera footage reveals the urgency and chaos of the situation as officers communicated with dispatch and each other while attempting to assist Estrada. The footage captures the distressing moments following the collision, highlighting the challenges faced by first responders in such critical situations.
The LAPD's MSIT team has been notified of the crash resulting in Estrada's death and is conducting a comprehensive investigation. Over the coming months, the team will:
The LAPD is committed to transparency and thoroughness in its investigations. For more information on how the LAPD investigates traffic crashes, community members are encouraged to visit LAPDonline.org, where they can find detailed policies and procedures. Thank you for taking the time to view this community briefing and for your understanding as we work through this tragic incident.
