The father of a 17-year-old Granada Hills boy killed when the teen was hit by a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power truck while riding his bicycle in February is suing the agency.
Jorge Martin Ragni, father of Philomene Augustine Ragni, filed the negligence complaint Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The suit also names the truck’s driver, Steven Glen Poulos.
The suit seeks unspecified damages.
A spokesman for the City Attorney’s Office did not immediately return a call for comment today.
The fatal injury occurred about 3:15 p.m. Feb. 18 at Woodley Avenue and San Fernando Mission Boulevard in Granada Hills, Los Angeles police said. The teen, who attended John F. Kennedy High School, died at the scene, said coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter.
“When … Poulos entered the intersection, he made no effort to look out for, slow down, yield or avoid (Philomene Ragni), who had the right of way and was lawfully crossing the intersection with due care,” the suit states. “Through no fault of his own, (the teen) was smashed into the ground by the impact.”
Poulos also was driving at an unsafe speed and his driving violated several of the DWP’s own policies, the suit alleges.
The DWP was negligent in the hiring, retention and training of Poulos, according to the lawsuit.
According to a statement previously released by the DWP, the department truck was driven by an electrical construction worker.
“LADWP extends heartfelt sympathies to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” the statement said in part.
—City News Service