No felony charges will be filed in fatal hit-and-run crash

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office will not file felony charges against a woman who was arrested last month in connection with the hit-and-run crash that killed a Notre Dame High School cross-country runner, it was announced Monday.

Conor Lynch, a 16-year-old junior, was struck and killed Oct. 19 by an 18-year-old woman driving a burgundy SUV. The Notre Dame cross-country team often trains on the sidewalks in the Sherman Oaks neighborhoods surrounding the high school.

Police said they believe Conor may have been trying to catch up with a pack of runners when he was struck by the SUV. Conor was jogging across Woodman Avenue in the middle of a block, and not at a crosswalk, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The motorist, identified as Moran Biton, drove four blocks before she pulled over next to a police car that was in the area on another call. She reportedly told officers, “I think I hit someone.”

Biton was arrested later on suspicion of leaving the scene of an accident. But county prosecutors said that there was no evidence for a felony filing because Biton contacted police and did not conceal any details of the case.

The case has been referred to the Los Angeles city attorney’s office for a possible misdemeanor filing, according to county prosecutors.

Family and friends described Conor as self-assured and helpful — always the first person to stand up and clear the dinner plates.

“He seemed to bring everyone together,” said one of Conor’s aunts, Donnelle Juelsson.

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