Woman Fatally Struck by Hit and Run Driver NR19005rh

Pacoima: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the identification and arrest of the suspect involved in a hit and run collision that killed a 26-year-old woman.

On January 10, 2019, around 8:20 p.m., a vehicle was travelling southbound Laurel Canyon Boulevard south of Paxton Street when it struck a pedestrian on the roadway south of Paxton Street. The woman was not walking within a crosswalk at the time she was struck by the vehicle.

Witnesses at scene described a driver in a red Toyota Prius who stopped momentarily at the scene of the collision to check on the woman then left shortly after for unknown reasons. Investigators are attempting to identify the occupants in the Prius as they may have information relating to the collision.

The Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced the woman dead at scene. Her identify will not be released until next-of-kin has been notified.

The driver of the hit and run vehicle failed to stop and render aid as required by law.

Drivers are reminded that if they become involved in a collision, they should pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene to identify themselves. This collision would have been an accident if the driver stopped and stayed at the scene as required by law.

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.

Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact Valley Traffic Investigator Takishita at (818) 644-8116. 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 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.