A man suspected in the hit-and-run death of a federal judge’s son in Pacific Palisades was behind bars today.
Michael Vuong, 66, of the Palms area of Los Angeles, was arrested Thursday afternoon and booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter in the Dec. 27 crash that killed David Pregerson, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Vuong was held on $100,000 bail, according to the sheriff’s department.
Pregerson, a 23-year-old budding filmmaker and recent graduate of UCLA, was walking on Chautauqua Boulevard, south of Sunset Boulevard, when he was fatally struck about 3 a.m. Dec. 27.
He was declared dead at a hospital four days later.
He was a son of U.S. District Judge Dean Pregerson and a grandson of U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Harry Pregerson.
Pregerson’s family and the Los Angeles City Council had each offered rewards of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver.
“I am very thankful that the Palisades community stepped up to help the LAPD and I hope that this crucial progress in the case provides a small measure of comfort for the Pregerson family,” said City Councilman Mike Bonin.
“The suspect in custody will have his day in court. Until then, I am incredibly appreciative that our police department, local media and neighbors all relentlessly pursued justice for David and the family and community that still grieves his loss.”
