Street Racing Causes Fatal Hit and Run Collision NR18196dm

July 31, 2018 ***Update*** On July 22, 2018, at approximately 1:30 AM, a Fatal Traffic Collision occurred on Central Avenue and 51st Street which involved Street Racing. A black BMW was racing a white vehicle, possibly a Nissan or Toyota sedan, southbound Central Avenue. The BMW collided with the victim’s vehicle, which was entering Central Avenue from a business. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he died. The driver of the BMW was taken into custody and booked for vehicular manslaughter. Central Traffic Division detectives are requesting assistance from the community in identifying white vehicle and the driver.

Los Angeles: Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Traffic Division are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the identification of the suspect involved in a fatal hit and run traffic collision.

On July 22, 2018, just after 1:30 a.m., the driver of a 2009 BMW and a white sedan were racing southbound on South Central Avenue in Newton Area. As the two vehicles were about to reach the 5000 block of South Central Avenue, the driver of a 2002 Ford SUV pulled out from the west driveway of a business directly in the path of the two oncoming vehicles. The driver of the BMW was unable to stop and collided with the driver’s side of the Ford SUV. The force of the violent impact launched the Ford SUV approximately 175 feet in a southbound direction. The BMW continued out of control in a southbound direction and came to rest after colliding with two other vehicles. There were no injuries to the occupants of those last two vehicles. Witnesses stated the two racing vehicles were traveling at speeds of more than 90 mph. The driver of the white sedan fled the scene, failing to stop and render aid, as required by law.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and transported the male and female occupants of the Ford SUV to a local hospital. The female suffered head and body trauma and is in critical condition. The male occupant also suffered head and body injuries and was immediately rushed to surgery. Despite the lifesaving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The driver of the BMW was also transported to a local hospital and is listed in stable condition.

On April 15, 2015, the City Council amended the Los Angeles Administrative Code and created a Hit and Run Reward Program Trust Fund. A reward of up to $50,000 is available to community members who provide information leading to the offender’s identification, apprehension, and conviction or resolution through a civil compromise.

Anyone with information about the incident or the white sedan is asked to contact Central Traffic Division detectives at (213) 833-3713, Officer Erie Poss at (213) 486-0760, or the Central Traffic Division Watch Commander at (213) 486-3713.

During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.

(877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Tipsters may also visit ww.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an onlinetip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.