LOS ANGELES, CA – A 35-year-old man was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver early Monday in the Sun Valley area of the San Fernando Valley, and the Los Angeles Police Department is asking the public for help identifying the driver, according to police.
The crash was reported shortly before 2:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, near Sherman Way and Lankershim Boulevard. Police said a white vehicle was traveling eastbound on Sherman Way when it struck the man just west of Lankershim.
The driver did not stop to help and continued eastbound on Sherman Way before turning north, police said. Investigators are working to identify the driver and the vehicle.
Driver continued east, then turned north
According to the LAPD, the vehicle was heading east on Sherman Way when the collision happened. The impact occurred west of the Lankershim intersection.
Police said the driver left without remaining at the location and without rendering aid. After continuing east on Sherman Way, the driver turned north.
Some early accounts of the crash gave the victim’s age as 32 and described the vehicle as a white box truck. Police have described the vehicle as a white vehicle and the victim as a 35-year-old man.
Man pronounced dead at the scene
Police said the man was in the roadway when he was struck. He was found there after the crash was reported.
Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters responded and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Valley Traffic Division investigating
The LAPD Valley Traffic Division is investigating the crash. The department’s Traffic Group includes Central, South, Valley and West Traffic Divisions, which investigate fatal and serious traffic collisions, including hit-and-runs.
The Valley Traffic Division handles fatal collisions in the San Fernando Valley, which is the area where this crash happened.
Police have asked anyone who witnessed the collision, or who has information about the driver or the vehicle, to come forward and contact investigators.
City reward program offers up to $50,000
The City of Los Angeles runs a Hit and Run Reward Program. Under it, up to $50,000 may be available for information leading to the identification, apprehension and conviction of a hit-and-run driver in a fatal case, according to the LAPD.
The program is funded through a Hit and Run Reward Program Trust Fund, which the City Council created when it amended the city’s Administrative Code on April 15, 2015.
According to initial reports, a reward of up to $50,000 is available in connection with this case.
Traffic safety work in the city
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation publishes an annual report that covers the city’s Vision Zero traffic-safety work. Its report for 2023 is available on the department’s website.
How to reach investigators
Anyone with information about the driver or the vehicle is asked to contact the Valley Traffic Division. Officer Lozon can be reached at 818-644-8117 and Officer Reyes at 818-644-8114.
Outside business hours and on weekends, callers can reach the LAPD at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).
Investigation remains active
The LAPD had not released the victim’s identity, a description of the driver or information about any arrest as of Monday.
The investigation remains active, and the Valley Traffic Division continues to seek the driver of the white vehicle.
