Pedestrian Severely Injured in Hit & Run Collision NR20223jc

UPDATE

September 25, 2020

Through the assistance of news
media, detectives received a tip that lead to the identification
of the driver involved in a hit and run traffic collision that
severely injured a 70-year-old woman. Today at 2:45 p.m.,
detectives went to the 900 block of Menlo Avenue and arrested
34-year-old Christopher David Smith at his residence. He was
booked (Booking #6019099), and bail was set at $50,000.00.

Chinatown: On September 4,
2020, around 5:00 p.m., officers from the Los Angeles Police
Department’s Central Traffic Division (LAPD, CTD) responded to a
call for service at the intersection of North Broadway and
College Street. The officers’ investigation revealed that a
pedestrian described as a 70-year-old woman was crossing North
Broadway when she was struck by a black Mercedes Benz sedan. The
driver of the Mercedes Benz sedan stopped briefly but fled the
scene. The driver failed to stop, remain at the scene, render
aid, and identify themselves as required by law.

The pedestrian sustained multiple blunt-force trauma injuries
because of the collision. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics
responded to the scene and transported the pedestrian to a local
hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the Mercedes Benz sedan is described as 35 or
40-year-old male Black. He stands at 6 feet 4 inches, weighs 180
pounds, and has braided short blond hair. He has a tattoo of the
number, “1” on the left side of his face and has tattoos on both
arms. The Mercedes Benz is described as a 2003-2006 model C 230
with dealer-issued paper plates.

**NOT actual suspect vehicle;
Similar vehicle**

Drivers are reminded to drive at a safe speed and if you become
involved in a collision, you should pull over and stop as soon as
it is safe to do so, notify emergency services, and remain at the
scene to identify yourself.

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 $25,000 is available to community members
who provide information leading to the offender’s identification,
apprehension, and conviction or resolution through a civil
compromise.

If anyone has information regarding the vehicle, driver, or
collision please contact Detective Jose De Leon of CTD, at
213-833-3713 email: 23911@lapd.online or Central Traffic Division
Watch Commander at 213-833-3746. During non-business hours, or on
weekends, calls should be directed to 323-846-6553 or
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
www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the
“Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip.
Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile
application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their
local program.