A tragic New Year's hit-and-run has claimed the life of a motorcyclist in Los Angeles, and the LAPD is now seeking the public's assistance to track down the perpetrator. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of January 1, 2024, involved a dark-colored pickup truck and a motorcycle on the crossroads of 80th Street and Central Avenue, according to an LAPD press release.
After colliding with the motorcycle, the driver of the pickup truck, which authorities noted sustained significant damage to its driver's side door, fled the scene without stopping, this failure to provide identification or aid resulted in the death of 38-year-old Jose Angel Landeros, who later succumbed to his injuries despite the efforts of the Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics who transported him to a local hospital.
In the wake of this act of blatant disregard for human life, detectives from the LAPD's South Traffic Division are leading the investigation and offering a reward of up to $50,000 for tips that could lead to an arrest, a monetary incentive established as part of the city's Hit-and-Run Reward Program Trust Fund in April 2015 to encourage community cooperation.
The police urge anyone with information regarding this fatal event, particularly those who witnessed the collision, to step forward and contact Detective Huerta at the provided LAPD contact number, the LA Regional Crime Stoppers, or the “P3 Tips” mobile application, available for download and used by those who wish to remain anonymous but the LAPD insists that the community's help is paramount to bringing justice and closure to such incidents, in which the lives of our fellow citizens are cut short by the reckless actions of individuals who flee rather than facing the consequences of their actions.
