Man Dies after being Hit by Car

Los Angeles:  Detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a hit and run driver who struck and fatally injured a 55-year-old man.

On November 10, 2008, at around 5:40 a.m., a midsized car traveling eastbound on Oxnard Street, west of Donna Avenue, hit Charles Ernest Lawson of Northridge, as he was crossing the street in a southeast direction.  Lawson died at scene.

Witnesses told officers that the suspect stopped momentarily before driving away.  The suspect did not offer help to the victim, nor did he provide any information as is required by law.  He was described as a man of Middle Eastern descent, approximately 5 ft. 9 in. tall, 200 lbs., with brown hair, balding on top, with a mustache, wearing glasses and a brown/khaki flannel jacket.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Valley Traffic Division Detectives, Officer Scott DeWitt at 818-644-8027.   After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web Tips.  When using a cell phone, messages should always begin with “LAPD.” All calls and contacts are anonymous.