Los Angeles authorities are intensifying their search for a hit-and-run driver responsible for leaving a 24-year-old man fighting for his life in the ICU, following an incident that occurred in San Pedro last month. The collision happened at around 6:30 a.m. on January 29 as the man was crossing Pacific Avenue near O’Farrell Street, and he was struck by a dark-colored minivan traveling at a high rate of speed.
The LAPD has yet to successfully track down the driver who sped away without attempting to stop or provide assistance as required by law. As the victim remains hospitalized nearly a month after the tragic event, the push to locate the culprit continues. “Now, authorities are searching for them,” stated the KTLA report. To encourage public involvement in bringing justice to these types of cases, the City Council has previously amended the Los Angeles Administrative Code to create a Hit-and-Run Reward Program Trust Fund, which, as highlighted by the LAPD, could offer up to $25,000 for information that will ultimately lead to make an arrest or reach a civil compromise.
Detective Gerald Chavarria of the South Traffic Division is leading the investigation and urges anyone with information to come forward. Those with details of the case are encouraged to contact him at 213-924-3621 or via email at [email protected]. For after-hours tips or during weekends, the South Traffic Watch Commander can be reached at 323-421-2577, or calls can be directed to the general LAPD line at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Individuals preferring to remain anonymous have the option to call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or to use the “P3 Tips” mobile application, choosing the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
Reflecting on the case, the LAPD emphasized in their statement, "Motorists are reminded that if they become involved in a traffic 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."
