News Year’s Eve Tragedies on the Streets of South Los Angeles: Three Separate Fatal Traffic Collisions Within an Hour  NR24003bb

South Los Angeles:   A family of four was tragically struck by a speeding SUV; a pedestrian struckand killedby multiple vehiclesin a hit & run; and anotherpedestrianpossibly jaywalkingwasstruck and killed.

OnDecember31, 2023, at around10:55PM., a vehicletraveling northbound Western Avecollidedinto apedestrian who was crossing in the roadway near 247^thPl,inthe City ofLos AngelesLomita area.Once down on the roadway,the pedestrian wasstruckby two additional vehicles that fled the scene without stopping and rendering aid.Los Angeles Fire Department respondedto the scene andpronouncedthe male pedestriandeceasedat scene.  The identity of the pedestrian has not been determined and will be released by L.A. County Coroner investigators.

On December 31, 2023, at around 11:20 PM, anSUVtravelingat a high rate of speedwhile fleeing from a traffic collision, failed to stop for a posted stopsign westbound60^thPl at Normandie Ave.The speedingSUV collided into a small sedan traveling southbound Normandie Ave. The sedan occupied by father (driver), mother(passenger), and two youngsisters,ranging from 2-5 years-old were seated in car seats to the rear of the vehicle, were violently forcedintoa street sign and fence onthe southwest corner of 60^thPl and Normandie Ave.Some goodSamaritansjumped into action and beganattemptingto remove all four passengers from the smoking sedan. LAFD responded to the scene and transported the two youngsisters and mother to a nearby hospital. The father was pronounced deceased at scene. Unfortunately,the oldest of the two young sisters was also pronounced deceased bymedical staff upon arrival to the hospital.

Theyoung mother and toddler were listed in critical condition as theycontinued to fightthrough the night. The toddler continues to fight for her lifeas she remainsin thePediatricIntensive Care Unit (PICU)at a nearby hospital.

The driver of the SUV was also transported to a nearby hospital and being treated for serious non-life-threateninginjuries.The driverof the SUV is facing possibleMurder/Gross Vehicular Manslaughter charges.

The Los Angeles Police DepartmentSouth Traffic Detectivesare attemptingto identify the family of four.

OnJanuary 1, 2024, at around12:05AM, a vehicle traveling southbound La Cienega Bl struck a pedestrian who was crossing outside ofthecrosswalk near Obama Blvd. The driver of the vehicle remained atscene and is cooperating withthe investigation. The driver did not display any symptoms of DUI.

The identitiesofall persons involved arenotbeing released untiladditional familymembers are located andnotified.Los Angeles Police Department,South Traffic Detectives-Vehicular Homicide Sectionareconducting the investigation.

South Traffic Detectives are attempting to identify the hit and run driver’sand ask that the public help and come forward with any information leading to their arrest.

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.

Anyonewithinformation is encouraged to contactOfficer Cha, Serial No. 37724, Officer Kim, Serial No. 40105orDetectiveMoreno, Serial No. 32013, South Traffic Division at 323-421-2500. 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.  Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.