Man Pleads Guilty in Hit-and-Run Case

A Canoga Park man pleaded guilty Friday to felony hit-and-run driving in a bizarre incident in which another hit-and-run driver who fled on foot from a minor traffic collision was killed.

A more serious charge of vehicular manslaughter against Darius B. Smith, 32, was dropped in return for his guilty plea to the hit-and-run charge.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Ann M. Korban said prosecutors agreed to the plea bargain because they were uncertain that they could secure a manslaughter conviction.

Smith faces up to two years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 22 in Van Nuys Superior Court, Korban said.

Smith pleaded guilty in connection with the June 24 death of Saul C. Jimenez, 29, of Woodland Hills. Police said the occupants of a car involved in a minor traffic accident caused by Jimenez had chased him and were wrestling with him when he broke away.