Local Man Faces Hit-and-Run DUI Charges After Crashing Into Tree at Regional Park

A 37-year-old Hawaiian Gardens man is facing hit-and-run DUI charges stemming from an accident that took place on the Lakewood-Cerritos border in which he allegedly rear-ended another vehicle, then fled from the site and crashed into a tree at Cerritos Regional Park, where firefighters had to extricate him from the wreck.

The accident involving supsect Omar Hernandez took place about 7 p.m. Jan. 21, according to deputy Tim Britt of the Cerritos Sheriff's Station traffic detail.

Hernandez was driving his Dodge Durango north on Bloomfield Avenue when he crashed into the back of a 2000 Ford Excursion driven by an Artesia man near the intersection of Bloomfield and Del Amo Boulevard, said Britt.

After the collision, Hernandez fled northbound and turned into softball fields at the Cerritos Sports Complex adjacent to Regional Park, with the victim following him from behind. 

"While maneuvering through the access roads in Regional Park, he (the suspect) lost control and crashed into a tree," said Britt. "L.A. County Fire crews were called to the scene and they had to remove him from the vehicle."

Britt said the suspect was taken to UCI Medical Center as a precaution. But neither Hernandez nor the victim were injured in the accidents.

Hernandez was later arrested for driving under the influence and hit-and-run, said Britt, adding that he will be facing misdemeanor charges. He does not have a prior history of DUI.