Los Angeles: On Thursday, February 21, 2002, at approximately 8:45 p.m., a fatal Hit-and-Run traffic collision of a vehicle vs. pedestrian occurred on the 8400 block of Central Avenue.

The collision occurred when Mr. Eddie Dee Johnson, 88 year-old resident of Los Angeles, attempted to cross Central Avenue, mid block, outside the marked crosswalk. As Mr. Johnson crossed the street, he was struck by a black or dark green 1982 Toyota Celica Supra, traveling northbound at a high rate of speed on Central Avenue.

The impact of the crash tossed Mr. Johnson on top of the hood and into the windshield of the Toyota. The vehicle continued traveling northbound before braking to a stop near 84^th Place. The sudden stop threw Mr. Johnson off the hood of the Toyota and into the pavement. The driver of the vehicle then fled the scene northbound on Central Avenue, failing to identify himself, render medical aid, or call for emergency services, in violation of section 20001 of the California Vehicle Code.

Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and transported Mr. Johnson to Martin Luther King Medical Center. Mr. Johnson was pronounced dead at 9:12 p.m. as the result of his injuries.

The driver of the Toyota was described as a male Hispanic, 20 to 25 years of age. Witnesses to the collision recorded the vehicle's license plate as 4RUH487, however, the officers conducting the investigation were unable to locate the vehicle or the owner at the owner's last known address. The Toyota has a smashed windshield as the result of the collision.

Detectives from South Traffic Division are conducting the investigation. Anyone with information regarding the Toyota's location or the identity of the Hit-and Run driver, is urged to contact Detectives Felix Padilla or Mike Farrell at 213-485-7336. The after hours telephone number to contact is 1-877-LAWFULL.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.