An 88-year-old man was struck and killed on Wednesday while walking across East 49th Street in South Los Angeles near Avalon Boulevard, and the driver who hit him kept going. Now, detectives are asking the neighborhood to help fill in the blanks.
According to KTLA, Los Angeles Police Department Central Traffic detectives said the victim was crossing eastbound on the north side of East 49th Street when a vehicle traveling north on Avalon Boulevard hit him. L.A. Fire Department paramedics rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he later died, the station reported. Investigators described the suspect vehicle as a possible black sedan that then continued north on Avalon without stopping.
City Offers Big Reward as Investigators Hunt for Leads
The City of Los Angeles is offering up to $50,000 for information that leads to the suspect’s identification, arrest, and conviction through its Hit-and-Run Reward Program Trust Fund, according to the City Clerk. Officials are clearly hoping that kind of money nudges anyone who saw something, or has key video, to come forward sooner rather than later.
How to Reach LAPD and Stay Anonymous if Needed
LAPD Central Traffic Division detectives are handling the case. KTLA reports that investigators listed a direct contact number and case investigator, asking anyone with information to call Central Traffic at 213-486-0760 and ask for Investigator D. Chung. For those who prefer not to give their name, tips can be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or through the P3 Tips mobile app.
What California Law Requires After a Crash
Under California law, any driver involved in a collision that causes injury or death must stop, identify themselves, and provide reasonable aid. Leaving instead can be charged as felony hit-and-run under FindLaw. Penalties can include prison time and fines, and courts have long treated fleeing after a deadly crash as a serious crime.
Detectives are urging nearby residents and businesses to check doorbell, traffic, and security cameras for any footage that might show the impact or the suspect vehicle, then share it with investigators or upload it anonymously through L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers. Police also reminded drivers that staying at the scene, calling for help, and cooperating with authorities is not just legally required, it can be critical to saving lives and solving cases like this one.
