LOS ANGELES, CA – A man arrested Oct. 20 in connection with the Sept. 30 hit-and-run crash that killed 83-year-old Akil Saud Batani-Khalfani in South Los Angeles has been charged with murder and two other felonies, according to the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The crash happened at about 8:43 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, near Central Avenue and 69th Street, police said. Batani-Khalfani, known in the community as “Bird,” died at the scene.
The LAPD identified the driver as John Anthony Cardenas, 29. Detectives from the department’s Central Traffic Division arrested him near his workplace in Carson nearly three weeks after the crash.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, prosecutors filed a complaint charging Cardenas with one felony count each of murder, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and hit-and-run driving resulting in death or serious injury, the District Attorney’s Office said.
Pedestrian struck outside a marked crosswalk
Police said Batani-Khalfani was walking east on Central Avenue, outside a marked crosswalk, when a dark blue four-door sedan traveling south struck him.
The driver did not stop, did not identify themselves and did not try to help, according to the LAPD. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced Batani-Khalfani dead at the scene.
The Central Traffic Division took over the investigation. The sedan was not publicly located until detectives served a search warrant on Cardenas’ home after his arrest.
Community leader remembered by the mayor
Mayor Karen Bass described Batani-Khalfani as a community leader, historian, author and neighborhood advocate. She said his death was heartbreaking and that no one deserves to die that way.
Bass also said the city was working to determine what additional safety measures may be needed near Central Avenue and 69th Street. The city has not announced specific changes to the intersection.
$50,000 reward announced Oct. 8
Eight days after the crash, Bass announced in a statement that her office was working with Councilmember Curren Price, who represents Council District 9, and the LAPD to offer a reward of up to $50,000.
The reward was offered under the city’s Hit-and-Run Reward Program for information leading to the identification, apprehension and conviction of the driver, or to a resolution through a civil compromise.
The mayor’s office asked anyone with information to contact Central Traffic Division Investigator A. Leon.
Arrest in Carson and search of a home
The LAPD said detectives arrested Cardenas on Tuesday, Oct. 20, near his workplace in Carson. Afterward, they served a search warrant at his home.
There, detectives located and impounded the vehicle they believe was involved in the crash. The department has not described the condition of the vehicle.
Booking and bail
Cardenas was booked at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Detention Center on suspicion of hit-and-run resulting in death. His bail was set at $1 million.
Charges and alleged prior conviction
The District Attorney’s Office said the complaint alleges that Cardenas has a 2025 prior conviction for vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
The complaint also alleges that he personally inflicted great bodily injury, that he used a motor vehicle as a deadly weapon, or both, and that he fled the scene.
An arrest is not a conviction, and the allegations remain subject to the criminal court process. Cardenas has not been convicted of the charges in this case.
Tips go to Central Traffic Division
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Investigator A. Leon at 213-833-3713 or the Central Traffic Division watch commander at 213-833-3746. Tips can also be given anonymously to Los Angeles Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
Case remains pending in court
The criminal case against Cardenas is pending. No arraignment date had been made public as of Oct. 24.
