Child Severely Injured by Hit-and-Run Driver – NR23155mp

Los Angeles: Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Traffic Division are seeking information on a felony hit-and-run traffic collision that severely injured a child on a bicycle.

On May 16, 2023, around 7:00 p.m., four males stole a Black 2014 Kia Optima, that was parked in the 300 block of West 14th Street. At 7:30 p.m. the Kia was seen traveling at a high rated speed southbound on Main Street approaching Adams Boulevard when the tires began to lose traction. As the vehicle began to fishtail, the driver lost control of the Kia, and traveled on the opposite side of the road, colliding with a 13-year-old male bicyclist traveling northbound on Main Street just past 27th Street. The child was launched into the air and landed on the sidewalk. The driver of the Kia fled from the scene without rendering aid or identifying himself.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and transported the child to a local hospital where he was admitted with severe injuries.

Detectives obtained video footage which captured the stolen vehicle being abandoned by the suspects in the 200 block of West 31st Street. Moments later video footage reveals a male Hispanic walk up to the Kia, enter it, and drive away. On May 17, 2023, at 8:00 a.m., the Kia was found abandoned in the 300 block of 32nd Street and impounded for evidence.

The suspects involved in this incident are described as follows:

Hit and Run Driver: Male, Hispanic, 18-20- years, black sweater, black pants, black sneakers, and a black & white backpack.

Passenger-1: Male, Hispanic, 18-20-years, grey sweater, black pants, white shoes.

Passenger-2: Male, Hispanic, 18-20- years, shoulder length black hair, white t-shirt, black pants, black shoes.

Passenger-3: Male, Hispanic, 18-20-years, black sweater, black pants, white shoes.

Auto Theft Suspect: Male, Hispanic, 35-40-years, black & white pattern hooded top, dark pants, red sneakers.

Video footage of the auto theft, the hit-and-run vehicle, driver, passengers, and auto thief is posted on Central Traffic’s social media accounts: YouTube “LAPD Central Traffic,” Twitter @LAPDCTD24, Instagram @LAPD_CTD_24.

On April 15, 2015, the City Council amended the Los Angeles Administrative Code and created a Hit-and-Run Reward Program Trust Fund. A reward of up to $25,000 is available to community members that provide information leading to the offender’s identification, apprehension, and conviction or resolution through a civil compromise.

If anyone has information regarding the vehicle, please contact Investigator Y. Emestica, with Central Traffic Detectives, at (213) 486-0761 or e-mail 42838@lapd.online or Central Traffic Division Watch Commander at (213) 833-3746 During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

   Driver and Passenger 1                               Auto Theft Suspect         

Passenger 2 and Passenger 3