Man seeks justice for twin brother killed by car in 1959

A man has spent the last few years fighting for police and prosecutors to reopen the case of the 1959 death of his twin brother, who was killed by a passing car while playing on a Torrance street.

The two 8-year-olds were playing near the corner of Crenshaw Boulevard and 236th Place on March 2, 1959, when Lynn Johnston tossed a bottle across the street and his brother Lyle ran to get it. Crossing back over Crenshaw, Lyle was hit by an Oldsmobile as Lynn watched in horror.

"I had nightmares for years. I was always afraid to be left alone," said Johnston, now 60 and a telecommunications salesman living in Kingston, Wash., on Puget Sound northwest of Seattle. "I always had issues."

Against very long odds, he wants authorities to consider charges against the driver.

"There was no official action on this back in 1959," he said. "Who dropped the ball?"

Read Bob Pool's full Column One on the case: An identical twin's quest for the truth

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-- Bob Pool

Photo: Lynn Johnson. Credit: Kevin Casey / For The Times

Comments

[Johnz52]

Rene Radinsky suggests moving on. No doubt. It was she who killed an 8 year old and lied to the police. If it had been her child who was coldly murdered by a driver not watching the road who then lied about the incident I'm sure her tune would be different. Radinsky is despicable and deserves to spend her remaining years behind bars and not in the comfort of her Palos Verdes Estate.

[Loren Belzor]

This is in regards to Renee Radinsky who ran down Lyle Travis Johnston on March 2, 1959 while he was in a kneeling position, then left the scene of the accident afterward. Nothing was ever done. This discovery was only found out November 2009 and verified January 2011.
Radinsky who saw Lyle Johnston at least 1-1/2 blocks away (that’s when she began blowing her horn without letup) and did nothing to avert ramming her bumper into Lyle’s head throwing him into the air, at a length of 100 feet. Lyle had been in a kneeling stationary position at all times and did not see the car except to look up just before she hit him. Radinsky should have been charged with Vehicular Homicide/Manslaughter due to her Gross Negligence and not just Negligence. #1 Issue: Radinsky was not charged with Vehicular Homicide/Manslaughter, for that matter she escaped all charges.

[Hailey Meininger]

What a tragedy!!! I think Mr. Johnston should continue to pursue this case to determine exactly where the investigation went awry. Was it for lack of evidence, or error by the individual responsible for investigating the case, or oversight of the court? It seems like they didn't consider his eyewitness testimony as a child (perhaps this was overlooked because he was probably considered a distraught sibling and they discounted his observations). Additionally, the article didn't divulge whether Mr. Johnston heard the car beeping, that seems like a pivotol fact. When he determines where in the case the ball was dropped, he should follow up in whatever manner the law allows. Unfortunately too much time may have passed to enact any legal action, but he should find a way to vindicate this injustice - more community awareness on traffic dangers, testifying before local government to ensure crosswalks are clearly marked and painted, etc...

There are a number of productive activities that could be pursued to ensure that a child's death was not in vain...RIP Lyle!

[Jenn]

It's easy to suggest moving on when you are the one that caused the pain. What a total crock! How could you ever "move on" after loosing a a twin, a child- and how could you move on after being the one responsible for that death?
I guess the same way you would by lying to get out of being held responsible.
Amazing.....shame on you Renee!

[Lynn Johnston]

The 1st Witness: Heard Radinsky began blowing her horn from 1-1/2 blocks away without letup and did absolutely nothing to avert ramming her bumper into Lyle’s head throwing him into the air at a length of 100 feet. Lyle did not see the car except to look up before she hit him. Running down Lyle while in a kneeling stationary position at all times. Radinsky should have been charged with Vehicular Homicide due to her Gross Negligence.
The 2nd witness: Signed an affidavit testifying Radinsky then left the scene of the accident that’s found in the CA. State Medical Examiners Subpoenaed Inquest File NO42575.
She fled south towards Lomita Blvd. This Hit & Run Charge never surfaced.
Definition of CA. Statue Of Limitations for Vehicular Homicide/Manslaughter states:
“This is where the statute of limitations comes into play. It relates from the date of the crime to the date of the charge”.
The Statue Of Limitations does not apply on a Non-Existent DA Case. There was never a Charge Or a Decline to Charge. Radinsky has not seen 1 day of being held in custody by any law enforcement agency for her act.
This criminal discovery was only revealed November 2009 and verified January 2011.