South Los Angeles: Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Traffic Division are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect or suspects responsible for the Hit and Run traffic collision that killed a pedestrian.
On April 12, 2021, around 1:20 a.m., a light color 2-door vehicle was travelling southbound on Main Street from 70th Street and collided into a pedestrian who was standing in the southbound lanes of Main Street, just north of 71st Street. The impact caused the pedestrian to be catapulted into the air and land on the northbound lanes of Main Street. The driver of the light-color vehicle fled without identifying themselves or attempting to render aid to the victim as required by law.
After the collision, as the pedestrian laid on the roadway, a female driver stopped, exited her vehicle, and it appeared that she attempted to assist the pedestrian. They were involved in a brief conversation, the female re-entered her vehicle and left the scene.
Moments later, a Spanish speaking male driver of a light-colored Toyota Prius stopped and pulled over. It appeared the driver was checking on the pedestrian who was still laying on the street. As the male was speaking with the pedestrian, a dark sedan travelling northbound on Main Street ran him over and dragged him approximately 60 feet before being dislodged. The driver of the dark sedan fled the scene without rendering aid and identifying himself or herself. The driver of the Toyota also left the scene.
Paramedics from the Los Angeles City Fire Department arrived at the scene and began to render aid. Despite lifesaving efforts, the Paramedics pronounced the pedestrian dead. The pedestrian has been identified by the Los Angeles County Coroner, however, his name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The pedestrian is a male white, 35 years old, and he is a resident of Los Angeles.
The light-colored hit and run vehicle is likely to have damage on the front end, the hood, and the windshield. The dark sedan is likely to have front end damage.
Detectives wish to speak with the female who stopped and spoke with the pedestrian, the driver of the light-color Toyota Prius which appeared to be a taxi, and the driver of the vehicle that was behind the Toyota which might have followed the 2nd hit and run vehicle. All three are witnesses in this investigation.
Drivers are reminded that if they become involved in a collision, they should pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene to identify themselves.
Anyone with information is asked to please contact Investigator J. Mendoza, Central Traffic Detectives, at 213-833-3713 or e-mail him at 32010@lapd.online. 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.