Amber Leist Wiki – Bio
Amber Leist Sheriff’s detective was struck and killed by a car after helping an elderly pedestrian who had fallen while crossing the street on Sunday.
Amber Leist Age
She was 41 years old.
Amber Leist Children
Leist, a 12-year veteran, leaves behind a 20-year-old son who’s in the US Navy and a 17-year-old boy.
Amber Leist Death News
The fatal crash took place at around 11am at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Whitsett Avenue in the Valley Village neighborhood as West Hollywood Station Detective Amber Leist, 41, was returning to her vehicle.
Leist, a 12-year veteran of the department, was rushed to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead, LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said at a press conference on Sunday evening.
The driver of the car that claimed Leist’s life reportedly remained at the scene and attempted to render aid.
Investigation Report
‘Today, the LASD is grieving. We are shocked and stunned by the sudden loss of a family member,’ Villanueva told reporters. ‘God had a better plan for her and she was called home.’
According to the sheriff, the detective leaves behind two sons: a 20-year-old who is currently on active duty in the US Navy and his 17-year-old brother.
The sheriff said during the press conference that Leist was waiting at a red light to make a left turn when she noticed two people crossing the street, and one of them stumbled and fell.
She put her vehicle in park, walked over to the crosswalk, helped the senior citizen up and led her across the intersection to the sidewalk.
As the detective was making her way back to her vehicle, Villanueva said a car traveling eastbound on Riverside Drive hit her when the light turned green.
LAPD Commander Marc Reina said the driver is cooperating with the investigation, which is ongoing. So far, no charges have been filed.
the sheriff’s office on Twitter showed deputies line up to salute Detective Leist’s flag-draped body as it was loaded into a coroner’s van to be transported from Cedar Sinai Hospital to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.
Villanueva said Leist began her career in law enforcement at the North County Correctional Facility, then moved to Lancaster Station, and five years ago she transferred to the West Hollywood Station, where she rose to the rank of detective after working as a patrolwoman and a school resource officer.
‘She was an outstanding detective who would lead by example, and she definitely led by example through an act of kindness,’ he said.
Today, @LASDHQ is grieving. We are shocked/stunned by the sudden loss of a family member. Amber Leist, a @WHDLASD detective, and 12 year veteran of LASD, was fatally struck by a vehicle in @LACity while assisting others. She was an outstanding detective who lead by example. pic.twitter.com/PcNIlAfTz8
— Alex Villanueva (@LACoSheriff33_1) January 13, 2020
Quick Facts You Need to Know
- Detective Amber Leist, 41, was killed Sunday morning after assisting a woman who had taken a fall at an intersection
- Leist, who was off duty, was walking back to her car when a car struck her
- Driver who hit Leist stayed at the scene and is cooperating with police
- Leist, a 12-year veteran, leaves behind a 20-year-old son who’s in the US Navy and a 17-year-old boy
- Video released by sheriff’s office showed deputies line up to salute Leist’s flag-draped body at the hospital