Pedestrian Dies in Tragic Car Accident NR10589cj

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Valley Traffic detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating any witnesses who saw a traffic collision that killed a 40-year-old North Hollywood resident.
On Sunday, December 19, 2010, at around 9:30 p.m., LAPD Valley Traffic officers received a call of a traffic collision that occurred on Vanowen Street and Tujunga Avenue.  When officers arrived on the scene, they saw a man lying on the street unresponsive.  A newer model silver BMW SUV was also parked near the scene, along with the driver of the car.  It appeared that the driver of the SUV was involved in a collision with the man who was on the ground.  Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and transported the injured man to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The detectives’ investigation revealed that the driver of the SUV was traveling westbound on Vanowen Street approaching Tujunga Avenue when his car collided with a pedestrian who was walking northbound Tujunga Avenue in the east crosswalk.  The collision threw the pedestrian onto the roadway just west of Tujunga Avenue at Vanowen Street.  The driver of the SUV immediately pulled over to render aid and called 911. 
The pedestrian has been identified as a 40-year-old Fernando Prado and notification has been made to the next of kin by Valley Traffic Division officers.
Anyone with information about this accident is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division Officer Lisset Fuentes at (818) 644-8020.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.