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Lyft Driver Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver In New Year's Day Crash
A 21-year-old Lyft driver was killed in a New Year's Day crash that's being investigated as a DUI, police said.
NBC L.A. reports that Thor Anderson of Torrance was broadsided by the driver of an Infiniti at about 2:55 a.m. Friday morning near the intersection of 120th Street and Doty Avenue in Hawthorne.
According to ABC-7, police conducted a DUI examination on the Infiniti driver, 21-year-old Hawthorne resident Arturo Martinez Conchas, who was then arrested for vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol, and possession of illegal drugs. Conchas was taken to the hospital for minor medical treatment, and booked at the Hawthorne Police Department jail, where his bail is set at $100,000.
Thor's father Ronald told NBC that his son was excited to work on New Year's Eve because he anticipated making a lot of money, which he was planning on using to pay for breakfast with his dad the next morning.
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A spokesperson for Lyft said in a statement:
Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones affected by this tragic accident. Thor was an important member of the Lyft community and we are very saddened to hear this news. We will support authorities in the ongoing investigation and help in any way we can.
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Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
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