A 60-year-old Hispanic woman was left to die on a Panorama City street after a black pickup truck struck her in a brutal hit-and-run on January 19, detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Traffic Division reported. The LAPD is actively seeking the public's help to track down the culprit of the incident that occurred around 6:05 p.m., at the corner of Roscoe Boulevard and Wakefield Avenue. According to authorities, the vehicle, which they described as a lowered black pickup truck, was headed westbound on Roscoe when it smashed into the woman as she crossed north on Wakefield in an unmarked crosswalk.
The driver chose to continue driving west on Roscoe and then turned north onto Lennox Avenue, failing to either stop or offer help, thereby violating the law. The LAPD relayed that the unidentified pedestrian was thrown by the impact, landing on Roscoe west of Wakefield, and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital from her injuries, despite the rapid response and transport by the Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, in a statement obtained by the LAPD Newsroom.
Los Angeles officials have withheld the name of the victim pending next of kin notification by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. In the aftermath of the collision, detectives are now appealing to anyone with information, urging them to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation into the fatal hit-and-run, as per the LAPD Newsroom.
In an attempt to bring the responsible party to justice, the City of Los Angeles has reaffirmed its standing reward program, which promises to offer up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction, or civil resolution of hit-and-run offenders. Tipsters can contact Valley Traffic Division Detective Otrosina at (818) 644-8036 or Officer Krueger at (818) 644-8020. Alternatively, to remain anonymous, individuals can reach out to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or utilize the “P3 Tips” mobile app, selecting LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
