An officer finds himself on the other side of the court room this year as he is charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run crash in Torrance.

Richard William Hatten, 36, was represented by his attorney William Haddon last week who entered a not-guilty plea for his Manhattan Beach police officer client.

He has officially been charged with leaving the scene of the crime, along with two other passengers, where he struck another person. However, he is the only one being charged at this time. Officer Hatten was placed on administrative leave by Manhattan Police Chief Rod Uyeda as the department investigated the crash. The two other officers in the car, Eric Eccles and Kristopher Thompson, are not commenting on the case.

The officer on duty at that time, Jeff Goodrich, did not file a police report on the crash. He later succumbed to cancer.

If you have been the victim of a car accident in L.A., contact us to get help from a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.

In South Los Angeles, it is reported that police are looking into a hit and run accident that occurred on Thursday.  Police say that the car accident resulted in the tragic death of an 11 year old boy by the name of Natanael Garcia.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Garcia was hit at approximately 2:30 PM at Hoover and 76^th Streets, which are part of the Vermont Knolls neighborhood.

On Thursday evening, police described the suspect's vehicle as being a black or dark blue sports utility vehicle (SUV).  The say the vehicle had tan trim and stock wheels and are asking for the public's help in locating the driver.

If someone you love was killed during a car accident, such as a hit and run accident, it is in your best interests to speak with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.  To discuss your situation with an attorney, contact the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus now!