La Mirada man charged in hit and run

DOWNEY - A 27-year-old La Mirada man appeared briefly in Downey Superior Court last week after he was charged with vehicular manslaughter and other crimes for a fatal hit-and-run.During the early morning hours of Sept. 20, Geoffrey Rocha allegedly struck 72-year-old Ray Quintanilla at the intersection of Santa Gertrudes Avenue and Lawnhill Drive in La Mirada. Rocha fled the scene, authorities claim. Quintanilla, also of La Mirada, was out for his daily walk when struck. Authorities said Quintanilla's arm was severed at the shoulder due to the force of the collision. The limb was discovered about a mile from where Quintanilla was hit. Rocha later surrendered to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department authorities in Norwalk. Downey Superior Court Judge Debra Cole-Hall set Rocha's bail at $100,000. If convicted, he faces a maximum of seven years in prison.

********** Published: September 29, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 24