A 29-year-old man suspected of drunk driving and his girlfriend were arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that fatally injured a motorcyclist in North Hollywood on Saturday, authorities said.

Officer Jessica Rice of the Los Angeles Police Department said Austin Michael Clay was heading north on Lankershim Boulevard in a red Toyota Camry shortly after 3 a.m. when he turned left onto Magnolia Boulevard and into the path of a motorcyclist on a yellow 2006 Yamaha.

Clay continued west on Magnolia Boulevard but was tailed by witnesses, Rice said. He stopped briefly to switch seats with his passenger, 21-year-old Stephanie Hernandez, witnesses told police.

A motorist stopped and detained Clay and Hernandez until police arrived, Rice said. Clay was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and is being held on $100,000 bail; Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy and is being held on $50,000 bail, she said.


The unidentified motorcyclist suffered grave injuries and was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died, Rice said.

Detectives are asking anyone who saw the crash to call the Valley Traffic Division at (818) 644-8022.

Twitter: @aminawrite

