Motorist Who Hit Officer Sentenced

An 18-year-old Pacoima man who pleaded guilty to running down a Los Angeles police officer while driving under the influence was sentenced Friday to two years and four months in prison.

Edgar Avitia also faces a restitution hearing July 13 in connection with the incident, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Steven J. Ipsen. During the sentencing, at San Fernando Superior Court, Avitia gave a handwritten apology to Officer Jeff Smith, who was seriously injured in the Oct. 24 crash in Sun Valley.

Smith, of the LAPD’s Foothill Division, suffered severe injuries to his left arm when he was struck by Avitia’s speeding car at San Fernando Road and Tuxford Street. Smith has been off duty recovering since the accident, in which two other men were also hit.

Smith was struck as he and his partner were investigating a hit-and-run accident. Avitia was arrested several miles from the scene after a private security officer followed his car and alerted police.

Avitia was found to be intoxicated at the time of the accident, police said.