A family of a man killed by Downey police in an October driving accident is indicting Downey City and accusing officials of trying to cover up the fatal crash.

Raymond Lavalle, 48, was attacked by a Downey Police Department official near the San Gabriel River Trail on October 2, which was responsible for police in the area, according to the Whittier Police Department. The crash occurred around 8:42 pm and Whittier police were pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the scene at 9 pm.

Lavalle's family said Downey police intentionally flee the crash, while Downey City noted that police were not aware that a person was hit.

Lavalle's mother Luisa and his three sons Joseph, Raymundo and Matthew filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday.

According to ministry spokesman Emily Armstrong, Whittier Police Department investigated the crash and recommended that the officers involved be charged with vehicle homicide and a crash that resulted in death. Lavalle is unpopular and lives in the riverbed when it crashes.

According to a statement from Downey, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office refused to file criminal charges, deeming the crash a tragic accident. The office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lavalle's family claimed that the officer was unaware of his identity and was speeding when Lavalle was hit and that the officer did not respond to any emergency or appeal for service. The family claimed that the officer fled the scene without stopping the assistance, which was required by law, and then Downey tried to cover up the incident by not posting a news release or notifying the family.

"The family has been in the dark for months, and it involves the death of his father from the department because they have never contacted the family to let them know that officials at the Downey Police Department, while on duty, went on strike, killed and let him die like a dog."

New York City withdrew the family’s charges, saying police were chasing the suspect at the time of the crash and did not realize the pedestrian was hit.

"The collision occurred in a dark area with poor visibility and the officer was chasing a suspect who was actively escaping police," the city said in a statement. "After driving south from Telegram Road to the entrance of the St. Gabriel River Trail, the officer's vehicle hit a pedestrian sitting on the road. The officer was unaware of the collision and the victim was later declared dead at the scene."

In the statement, the Downey Police Department expressed condolences to the victim’s family and friends.

The family claimed that when he walked along the bike along the lane on the San Gabriel River, the officer hit Lavalle, causing Lavalle to temporarily board in the car. Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as blunt force trauma.

"I know my dad will give you his last dollar, give you his back, give you his last meal, whatever that is, he will give you because he cares about everyone," Joseph Lavalle said in a press conference Tuesday. "I know if he is in the same situation, he will definitely stop and take care of him, just like his own brother."

The complaint states that the family is seeking the amount of compensation, general and special damages to be determined at trial. It also seeks punitive damages to Downey Police once his or her identity is well known.