Los Angeles police are hunting for the driver of a white hatchback accused of triggering a chain-reaction crash in Elysian Park that left a woman in her 30s with severe injuries. The collision happened Feb. 26 at about 3:05 p.m. near Elysian Park Drive and Stadium Way, according to authorities, and the driver they are looking for took off instead of stopping. A reward is now on the table for information that leads to an arrest.
As reported by MyNewsLA, the white hatchback was headed westbound on Elysian Park Drive when it made what investigators called "unsafe movements." That forced a gray Toyota to swerve into oncoming traffic, where it hit two other vehicles. The hatchback’s driver did not stop or offer help and continued westbound, police told the outlet. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics took the injured woman to a hospital with severe injuries. According to MyNewsLA, a reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to the suspect’s identification, arrest, and conviction.
Police appeal and how to tip
Central Traffic Division detectives are leading the investigation and using this case as a reminder of what drivers are legally supposed to do after a crash: pull over, call emergency services, and stay put. Anyone with information is urged to contact the LAPD Central Traffic Division at 213‑833‑3713 or the department’s 24/7 tipline at 877‑527‑3247, according to the LAPD. Those who want to remain anonymous can call LA Crime Stoppers at 800‑222‑TIPS or submit a tip online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Potential legal consequences
California law does not give drivers much wiggle room here. Anyone who leaves the scene of a collision that injures someone can face felony charges. Vehicle Code 20001 says drivers involved in injury crashes must stop and provide aid, with penalties ranging from fines to prison time depending on how badly someone is hurt. Detectives have not announced specific criminal charges while the case is still under investigation.
Why this stretch matters
The intersection of Stadium Way and Elysian Park Drive sits just below Dodger Stadium and pulls double duty: it serves locals using the park and drivers cutting through the area. That mix can create friction between cars, cyclists, and pedestrians. A recent City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks report flags Stadium Way as a principal park roadway that sees heavy use on game days and regular traffic from hikers and commuters, heightening the stakes when things go wrong. That backdrop helps explain why detectives are pushing hard for witnesses to come forward and why a reward has been put up in this case.
The LAPD and community partners continue to call for tips, with a reward of up to $25,000 available for information that leads to the suspect’s arrest and conviction, according to MyNewsLA. Anyone who knows something is urged to contact the LAPD Central Traffic Division or reach out anonymously through LA Crime Stoppers.
