Los Angeles, CA - Motorcyclist Kenli Black Dies After Downtown Hit-and-Run, Driver Out on Bail

Los Angeles, California (July 18, 2026) - Kenli Black, a healthcare worker at Brain Health USA, died from injuries suffered when his motorcycle was sideswiped by a hit-and-run driver near Alameda Street in downtown Los Angeles on July 12, 2026, his family said.

Black was on his way to assist someone the night of the crash when the driver struck his motorcycle and left the scene, according to his family. He was hospitalized and died six days later, on July 18.

Police later arrested the driver accused of hitting Black. The driver has since been released on bail, and Black's family is speaking out publicly for the first time since the arrest.

A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help cover funeral and travel costs for Black's family, who live outside the Los Angeles area.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.

This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.

Wrongful Death Claims After a Fatal Hit-and-Run in Los Angeles, California

A criminal case moving forward, including an arrest and bail release, does not resolve a family's right to pursue a separate civil claim.

• A wrongful death claim can proceed on its own timeline regardless of where the criminal case stands, including while the defendant is out on bail awaiting trial
• Evidence gathered by police for the criminal case, including any traffic camera footage or witness statements from the night of the crash, can often support the civil claim as well
• California law allows a spouse, children, or other dependents to recover for lost financial support, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of the deceased's companionship and care
• Because Black's family lives outside California, an attorney can typically handle the claim on their behalf without requiring repeated travel for court appearances

Under California law, wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years of the date of death (CCP 377.60). For this case, that deadline falls on July 18, 2028.

Contact Our California Wrongful Death Attorneys

Finding out that the driver responsible for your loved one's death is out on bail, while you are still grieving and handling funeral arrangements, can feel like the system is failing you twice.

Christian Contreras Law has represented families of hit-and-run victims across California and recovered more than $200 million for clients to date, including wrongful death cases that proceeded to trial.

Traffic camera footage near Alameda Street and any surveillance from nearby businesses are the kind of evidence that can disappear within weeks, so we move to preserve it as soon as a family is ready.

There is no cost to speak with our California wrongful death lawyer, and you owe us nothing unless we recover money for your family.

Why Injured Clients Trust Christian Contreras Law

• $200M+ recovered for clients
• More than $30M recovered in 2025 alone
• Takes cases to trial with 7+ jury trials each year
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Speak With Us When You're Ready, Call (866) 836-6588

Legal Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Incident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as the investigation continues. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any law enforcement or emergency response agency. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and no outcome is promised or implied.