Fatal Traffic Collision Kills Taxi Driver in Hollywood

Los Angeles: Driver under the influence of alcohol runs a red light, kills a taxi driver and injures two others.

On September 11, 2008, at approximately 2:20 a.m., a fatal traffic collision occurred on Highland Avenue and Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.  Avishkar Padhye, a 29 year-old resident of Los Angeles, was driving his 2008 BMW M5 southbound on Highland Avenue when he failed to stop for a red light at Sunset Boulevard.  Padhye continued through the intersection and collided with the driver side of a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis taxi Cab being driven eastbound on Sunset Boulevard by Karen Karapetyan.  Karapetyan was a 33-year-old resident of Garden Grove. 

The force of the initial impact caused the taxi cab to continue in a southeast direction and collide with a 2007 Toyota Yaris which was stopped in the number one, northbound lane of Highland Avenue.  The taxi and the Toyota Yaris then collided with a 2006 BMW 330I which was stopped in the number two, northbound lane of Highland Avenue.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and extracted Karapetyan from his taxi cab and transported him to Cedar Sinai Hospital.  Emergency room personnel attempted to perform life saving measures on Karapetyan; however, he died as a result of his injuries one hour after the collision.  The drivers and passengers of the other involved vehicles sustained minor injuries and declined medical treatment.  There were no passengers in the taxi cab at the time of the collision.

Following a Field Sobriety Test, Padhye was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was subsequently booked for 191.5(a) PC, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. 

For additional information, please call West Traffic Division during weekends and off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).