Ruben Wharton Vanegas, 35
Ruben Wharton Vanegas, a 35-year-old Latino, died after he was struck by a SUV on Thursday Oct. 15 in the 3800 block of South Vermont Avenue in Exposition Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.
Shortly before 9 a.m., Vanegas was riding his bike north on South Vermont Avenue when he came into contact with a light-colored SUV that had to pull to the right to stay away from the bike, said LAPD Det. Dave Garrido.
Vanegas and the driver of the SUV got into an argument, then the SUV accelerated and dragged Vanegas’ body about 100 feet, authorities said.
Vanegas was pronounced dead at 9:03 a.m. at the scene, according to coroner’s records.
The coroner’s office ruled the death a homicide due to “multiple blunt trauma injuries,” said Ed Winter, assistant chief of investigations for the coroner’s office.
Andrew Williams, a 32-year-old black man, was charged Nov. 4 with one count of murder and one count of hit-and-run resulting in death or serious injury, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD’s Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (323) 786-5110. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @nicolesantacruz and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.
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