Tragedy struck Los Angeles' Koreatown early Monday when a 15-year-old minibike rider was killed in a hit-and-run crash. According to NBC Los Angeles, the accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. The young rider, identified by family members as Joseph Rangel, was found deceased at the scene, his belongings scattered across the street.
Stacey Rangel, Joseph’s sister, recounted to NBC Los Angeles the harrowing experience of recognizing her brother’s possessions amongst the chaos. She said, "His body was covered with a white sheet, but we saw his belongings and recognized his stuff." LAPD officials report that the minibike was traveling north on Arapahoe Street when the rider lost control, slid into the intersection, and was subsequently struck by a vehicle that was to eastbound travel on Olympic Boulevard.
A similar account was shared by KTLA, stating the vehicle involved was dark-colored and fled the scene without offering aid immediately following the crash. Authorities are actively seeking the hit-and-run driver, described vaguely as driving a dark-colored, unknown model car. Detectives are canvassing the area for surveillance footage that could lend vital clues to the identity of the suspect.
The ABC7 report confirmed a person on a mini motorbike was indeed struck by a car in the unfortunate incident. The Los Angeles Police Department has yet to provide extensive details regarding the crash or the driver, who presently remains unidentified. The community has now been jolted by this sudden loss, as authorities continue tirelessly working to swiftly bring some measure of closure to those left grieving.
