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

January 3, 2024 NR24003am

UPDATE

The names of the deceased are updated as follows:

Father: Jose Manuel Pascagaza

Mother: Luisa Arenas Bernal

Daughter: Mia Pascagaza

January 3, 2024

UPDATE

The father, who died at scene, has been identified as 49- year-old Jose Manuel Pasgagasa.  The mother has been identified as 30-year-old Luisa Arenas. The eldest of the two sisters, who later died at the hospital, has been identified as Ana Sofia Cortes Bernal.

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

South Los Angeles: A family of four was tragically struck by a speeding SUV; a pedestrian struck and killed by multiple vehicles in a hit & run; and another pedestrian possibly jaywalking was struck and killed.

On December 31, 2023, at around 10:55 PM., a vehicle traveling northbound Western Ave collided into a pedestrian who was crossing in the roadway near 247th Pl, in the City of Los Angeles Lomita area. Once down on the roadway, the pedestrian was struck by two additional vehicles that fled the scene without stopping and rendering aid. Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and pronounced the male pedestrian deceased at 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, an SUV traveling at a high rate of speed while fleeing from a traffic collision, failed to stop for a posted stop sign westbound 60th Pl at Normandie Ave. The speeding SUV collided into a small sedan traveling southbound Normandie Ave. The sedan occupied by father (driver), mother (passenger), and two young sisters, ranging from 2-5 years-old were seated in car seats to the rear of the vehicle, were violently forced into a street sign and fence on the southwest corner of 60th Pl and Normandie Ave. Some good Samaritans jumped into action and began attempting to remove all four passengers from the smoking sedan. LAFD responded to the scene and transported the two young sisters 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 by medical staff upon arrival to the hospital.

The young mother and toddler were listed in critical condition as they continued to fight through the night. The toddler continues to fight for her life as she remains in the Pediatric Intensive 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-threatening injuries. The driver of the SUV is facing possible Murder/Gross Vehicular Manslaughter charges.

The Los Angeles Police Department South Traffic Detectives are attempting to identify the family of four.

On January 1, 2024, at around 12:05 AM, a vehicle traveling southbound La Cienega Bl struck a pedestrian who was crossing outside of the crosswalk near Obama Blvd. The driver of the vehicle remained at scene and is cooperating with the investigation. The driver did not display any symptoms of DUI.

The identities of all persons involved are not being released until additional family members are located and notified. Los Angeles Police Department, South Traffic Detectives -Vehicular Homicide Section are conducting the investigation.

South Traffic Detectives are attempting to identify the hit and run driver’s and 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.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Officer Cha, Serial No. 37724, Officer Kim, Serial No. 40105 or Detective Moreno, 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.