Fatal Hit-and-Run in Newton Division NR21211jc

August 26, 2021

***UPDATE***

Detectives have identified a person of interest in this case. The person is identified as Javier Garcia, also known by the moniker “Turtle,” and is wanted for questioning. Javier Garcia is described as a 35-year-old Hispanic male standing at 5 feet 9 inches and weighing 215 pounds. Javier Garcia is possibly still working as a tow truck driver driving a white “Wrecker Tow Truck.”

Detectives also want to speak with a second tow truck driver that was trailing behind Garcia’s vehicle and made a westbound left turn onto 54th Street after possibly having witnessed the collision.

Video of the traffic collision and the second tow truck is posted on the Central Traffic Division YouTube account, “LAPD Central Traffic” and Twitter account “@LAPDCTD24.”

***Javier “Turtle” Garcia; Actual Person of Interest***

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Traffic Division detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision.

On August 11, 2021, around 9:55 p.m., a 40 to 50-year-old Hispanic man was crossing Broadway in a marked crosswalk at 54th Street. The pedestrian was walking against a “Don’t Walk” signal. A light-colored “Wrecker Tow Truck” that was travelling northbound on Broadway collided into the pedestrian and dragged him 180-feet before he was dislodged. The driver of the tow truck stopped briefly but fled the scene without rendering aid or identifying themselves.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and declared the pedestrian dead. The name of the pedestrian is being withheld pending notification of next of kin by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office.

Video of the traffic collision can be viewed on Central Traffic Division’s Youtube account,  or by visiting LAPD Central Traffic’s twitter account @LAPDCTD24.

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.

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 that 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 Central Traffic Division investigator Juan Campos at (213) 833-3713 or email at 31480@lapd.online. During non-business hours, or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may 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 L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.