Investigators Wednesday recovered a van that was involved in a collision that seriously injured a motorcyclist last month in Norwalk and released the name of the 55-year-old man who was allegedly at the wheel and left the scene.
Gustavo Nery of Norwalk is suspected of driving his van out of the driveway of a convenience store on Pioneer Boulevard, north of the Santa Ana (5) Freeway, about 6 a.m. on May 29, directly into the path of a motorcycle going south on Pioneer Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
“The victim’s motorcycle collided into the rear driver’s side of the suspect vehicle at full speed,” Detective Carl Anna of the sheriff’s Norwalk Station said in the aftermath of the crash. “The victim was ejected from the motorcycle and was seriously injured. The suspect vehicle continued driving northbound on Pioneer Boulevard and out of view.”
Paramedics rushed the motorcyclist in serious condition to an area hospital. He was expected to survive his injuries.
The suspect was captured on video just prior to the crash buying some items at the convenience store and surveillance video recorded the van exiting the driveway.
Nery was described as a 5-feet-7-inch to 5-feet-9-inch tall Hispanic man, between 50 and 55 years old, weighing approximately 190 pounds with a gray mustache. He was wearing a long-sleeved orange work shirt, with “J.B. Landscape” on the back, blue jeans and a white cowboy hat.
“Thanks to a tip from a concerned citizen who saw the incident on the news, the suspect’s vehicle was recovered in Anaheim this morning…,” according to a sheriff’s department statement.
Anyone with information regarding Nery’s whereabouts or the crash in general was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS.