Nadir Gavarreta Accident – Obituary: 9-Year-Old Killed in Koreatown RV Crash as Driver Jimmy Pittman Faces Charges
LOS ANGELES, CA — A community is mourning, a family is devastated, and a city is outraged after a horrific crash in Koreatown claimed the life of 9-year-old Nadir Gavarreta. The tragedy unfolded in the early evening hours when a stolen recreational vehicle (RV) barreled through a residential area at dangerous speeds, ultimately crashing in a chaotic scene of destruction. Authorities have since arrested Jimmy Pittman, the driver of the RV, who now faces a growing list of criminal charges in connection to the fatal crash.
🚨 A High-Speed Nightmare in Koreatown
Witnesses described the RV as “flying down the street,” careening past intersections, blowing through red lights, and clipping parked cars before it finally crashed on a crowded Koreatown street on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. The vehicle came to a screeching halt after colliding with multiple objects, including a sidewalk where several pedestrians were walking — among them was Nadir Gavarreta, who was struck with catastrophic force.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded within minutes, but Nadir was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving bystanders in tears and disbelief. The impact was so severe that witnesses said it “sounded like an explosion.”
“That RV came out of nowhere. It was flying, totally out of control. People were screaming and running,” said local resident Veronica Kim, who was walking nearby with her toddler.
👮 Arrest and Charges Against Jimmy Pittman
The driver of the RV, later identified as Jimmy Pittman, a 33-year-old transient with a lengthy criminal history, attempted to flee the scene on foot but was apprehended a few blocks away by LAPD officers after a short chase. Authorities confirmed that the RV had been reported stolen earlier that afternoon.
Pittman has been formally charged with:
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Gross vehicular manslaughter
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Hit-and-run resulting in death
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Felony evading police
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Reckless driving
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Possession of a stolen vehicle
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Driving under the influence (pending toxicology results)
He remains in custody at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility with bail denied due to the severity of the offense and concerns over flight risk. Court documents show Pittman has prior convictions for auto theft, drug-related charges, and probation violations.
LAPD spokesperson Lt. Maria Estrada called the crash “entirely preventable and rooted in a pattern of recklessness.”
“This was not an accident in the traditional sense. This was a deadly crime fueled by disregard for human life,” Estrada said during a Thursday press briefing. “A 9-year-old boy is dead because someone made the decision to drive a stolen RV through a busy neighborhood like it was a racetrack.”
💔 Remembering Nadir Gavarreta
Nadir Gavarreta, a vibrant, athletic, and curious young boy, had just turned nine earlier this summer. He was known for his love of soccer, his bright smile, and his boundless energy. A student at Charles Kim Elementary School, Nadir was walking home with his older sister and a family friend when tragedy struck.
His parents, Isabel and Martín Gavarreta, issued a heart-wrenching statement Thursday morning:
“Nadir was our sunshine — joyful, loving, full of dreams. He was on his way to becoming something special. Our hearts are shattered beyond repair. There are no words to explain what it feels like to lose your child in such a violent, senseless way.”
Nadir is survived by his parents, his 12-year-old sister Lucia, and extended family members who described him as “the heartbeat of the home.”
A makeshift memorial has since grown at the crash site, with flowers, candles, drawings, and teddy bears piled beneath a photo of Nadir, his face beaming with innocence and youth.
⚖️ Justice, Grief, and a Call for Accountability
As the legal process unfolds, community members and elected officials are calling for both justice and reform, pointing to the alarming rise in reckless driving incidents involving stolen vehicles in Los Angeles.
City Councilmember Hugo Martinez, who represents the Koreatown area, called the tragedy “a wake-up call.”
“We cannot allow our streets to become speedways for criminals. Nadir’s death is a stain on all of us — on our city, our systems, our priorities. His life mattered. And we must ensure no other child suffers this fate.”
The Gavarreta family has retained legal counsel and plans to pursue civil action against both the driver and any entities found negligent in the incident. A GoFundMe campaign launched to support funeral expenses and grief counseling for the family has already raised over $60,000, with messages pouring in from across the country.
📅 Community Vigil and Final Farewell
A public candlelight vigil is scheduled for Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. on the corner of 6th Street and Alexandria Avenue, near the site of the crash. Organizers invite all who knew Nadir or wish to support the family to attend and stand together in remembrance and solidarity.
Funeral arrangements are currently being made, with the family asking for privacy as they navigate unimaginable grief.
🕊️ Gone Too Soon, Never Forgotten
The loss of Nadir Gavarreta has shaken the city of Los Angeles, especially the residents of Koreatown, where the echoes of this senseless tragedy linger with heavy hearts. A boy full of dreams and potential, taken in an instant by reckless, criminal behavior. Though justice is underway, no sentence can undo the pain his family must now endure.
Rest in peace, Nadir. Your spirit will live on in every soccer ball kicked, every laugh shared, and every candle lit in your name.