What:
Press Conference

When:
Wednesday June 20, 2001, at 1:00 p.m.

Where:
Van Nuys Community Police Station, 6240 Sylmar Avenue

Who:
Valley Traffic Division Detectives and Victim's Family

On Saturday, April 21, 2001 at approximately 8:35 p.m. Horacio Reyes was walking to his vehicle that was parked on the street in front of 14209 Vanowen Street. As he was walking along the left front of his vehicle, he was struck by a passing vehicle. Mr. Reyes was transported to the hospital were he died several days later as a result of his injuries.

A witness at the scene stated they observed a full size, black truck driving from the scene, while another witness stated they observed a white four-door car.

On April 30, 2001 at approximately 11:10 a.m., Lewis Coert was on Sepulveda Boulevard just south of Hatteras Street. As Coert was bending over to mark the roadway, he was struck by the side view mirror of a passing vehicle. The driver of this vehicle initially stopped, but then returned to her vehicle and fled without identifying herself or rendering aid to Mr. Coert. The vehicle that hit Mr. Coert is described as a white Mazda MPV Van. The driver was a female White, red or gray hair, 5'2"/5'6", 160/180 lbs., 60-65 years of age, wearing large round glasses. There was a passenger in this vehicle, described only as a female who was taller and skinnier, and approximately 60-65 years of age.

The families of the victims in both of these cases will be present as well as the victim from April 30, 2001 incident. The families will be requesting the public's help in identifying the hit & run drivers.

Anyone with information should contact Valley Traffic Detectives at 818-756-8391 during normal business hours.

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