The family of a man who died after police said he attempted to hit a group of people on a sidewalk with his truck but was beaten up is speaking out as video footage of the incident surfaced Monday.
Officials said early Saturday morning, the man - identified as 40-year-old Melguin Lopez - was asked to leave by a business located in the 14200 block of Hawthorne Blvd. An argument began as Lopez reportedly walked to his truck and proceeded to drive onto the sidewalk toward some people.
Security footage obtained by FOX LA shows the incident below. Viewer discretion is advised.
Lopez attempted to hit several pedestrians before crashing his truck into a nearby building, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office. It was then people took him out of his car and beat him.
Deputies confirmed Lopez died on the scene from blunt-force trauma.
Lopez’s wife, Monica Perez , told KTLA, she didn’t think the accident was what killed him.
“I feel like this was no accident, he was murdered,” she said. “It wasn’t a car impact, somebody dragged him. I want the truth. Somebody is covering something in this bar and we need to investigate.”
While authorities did question everyone involved in the attack, no arrests were made. Officials are still waiting on autopsy results.
The family told KTLA they’re not defending Lopez’s actions completely; however they said “no one should die this way.”
“This is not fair. His children are small, missing their father,” Ilene Perez, Lopez’s sister-in-law said. “Put yourself in my sister’s situation.”
According to a GoFundMe for the family, Lopez leaves behind four children.
Anyone with information about this incident can call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
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