An 18-year-old man was placed under arrest in connection to a fatal hit-and-run that resulted in the death of a 73-year-old pedestrian in Tarzana. The incident, which occurred on Thursday night in the vicinity of Corbin Avenue and Ventura Boulevard, sparked an immediate search for the suspect and vehicle involved.
The collision was reported at approximately 11:20 p.m. According to KTLA, witnesses told investigators that the victim was crossing the street outside of a designated crosswalk when struck by the eastbound vehicle. Tragically pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, the identity of the victim remains withheld until the family can be notified.
Los Angeles authorities later found the suspect's vehicle, a dark gray sedan, abandoned not far from the crash site. After a concerted investigative effort, LAPD officers managed to locate and detain Nathon Jaimes at his Reseda residence. As detailed by NBC Los Angeles, "The hit-and-run vehicle was located abandoned not far from the scene of the collision."
Upon his arrest, Jaimes was booked on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing death and held on a $30,000 bail. The Los Angeles Police Department, while urging anyone with additional information to come forward, released no further details on the victim, though it is believed he was leaving a nearby restaurant where he performs every Thursday night at the time of the incident. Witnesses said, a gray Honda Civic that was driven by Jaimes, according to police, was "traveling eastbound Ventura Boulevard when it struck a pedestrian," as per NBC Los Angeles.
The Valley Traffic Division of the LAPD is handling the ongoing investigation and is available for contact at 818-644-8020. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can also reach out to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or use the website www.lacrimestoppers.org. The efforts of the community and the perseverance of law enforcement led to the swift apprehension of the suspect in this devastating hit-and-run tragedy.
