Chilling video from a Brentwood neighborhood shows a man sitting in the middle of the street moments before a car plows into him and drives away, leaving him badly hurt. The footage has rattled residents and pushed investigators to renew their public plea for help, backed by a $25,000 reward to track down the driver.
Police Say The Crash Happened Jan. 19
Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department's West Traffic Division say the collision happened on Jan. 19 at about 12:34 a.m., when a black Toyota Prius hit a male pedestrian who was sitting in the southbound lanes of Bringham Avenue just north of Gorham Avenue. The driver did not stop and was last seen heading south on Bringham toward San Vicente Boulevard. Los Angeles Fire Department crews took the victim to a hospital with severe injuries, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Video Shows Bystanders Yelling 'Get Off The Road'
The video clip, released by police and covered by KTLA, captures a witness repeatedly shouting, “Hey man, you gotta get off the road, there’s a car coming!” as the Prius approaches. The car does not appear to slow down before it strikes the man, then continues down the street, leaving him with severe injuries.
A reward of up to $25,000 is on the table for tips that lead to the offender's identification, apprehension, and conviction, the department has said. Anyone with information is urged to call West Traffic detectives at 213-473-0234 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anonymous tips can be submitted to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers.
Investigators Renew Appeal For Footage And Witnesses
No arrests have been announced, and detectives say the investigation remains active. Officers are asking residents and nearby drivers to review doorbell camera video, dashcam footage, and any cell phone recordings from around the time of the crash for anything that might help identify the car or its driver. The released video is part of a broader push by the Los Angeles Police Department to generate new leads on the Prius and whoever was behind the wheel.
Hit-And-Run Collisions Remain A Traffic-Safety Challenge
While overall crime numbers dipped in 2024, LAPD officials have stressed that traffic safety remains a major concern on city streets, with fatal hit-and-run crashes only seeing a modest decline last year. NBC Los Angeles noted those warnings when the department released its annual crime data.
Legal Backdrop
Under California law, leaving the scene of an injury crash is not just callous; it is a crime. California Vehicle Code section 20001 requires a driver involved in a collision that injures someone to immediately stop and perform specific duties, including providing identifying information and rendering aid. Violating that requirement can be charged as a felony, according to California Vehicle Code 20001. When prosecutors file felony hit-and-run charges for injury crashes, potential penalties can include prison time and fines.
