LOS ANGELES, CA – A 33-year-old man was killed Thursday evening in Van Nuys after he was struck by two vehicles on Victory Boulevard, and the Los Angeles Police Department is searching for the woman who drove away in the second one, according to the LAPD.
The collision happened at about 5:55 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, on Victory Boulevard between Willis and Cedros avenues, police said. The LAPD Valley Traffic Division is investigating, and a reward of up to $50,000 is available for information about the driver, according to an LAPD news release.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner identified him as Ramon Noriega, 33.
Man struck by Volvo while crossing
Police said the man was crossing Victory Boulevard when a blue Volvo V70 station wagon traveling east struck him. The driver of the Volvo stopped and cooperated with officers at the scene.
While the man lay in the roadway, a red sedan also traveling east ran over him. Police said he became trapped underneath the sedan until he was dislodged.
Red sedan continued north
According to police, the driver of the red sedan continued north without stopping. Officers said the driver did not stop, identify themselves or render aid, as the law requires after a collision that injures someone.
According to initial reports, the man was dragged several blocks before he came free in front of Van Nuys High School. The LAPD’s account is that he was trapped under the sedan until he was dislodged.
Detectives describe driver and vehicle
Detectives described the driver of the red sedan as a woman. Police believe the vehicle is a red, four-door Cadillac sedan.
The driver had not been identified as of Saturday. Police have released no further description of the woman or the sedan.
Victim identified by medical examiner
The medical examiner’s office identified the man as Ramon Noriega, 33. The LAPD’s information on the case does not include a cause of death, which had not been released.
Metro buses were detoured in both directions around Victory and Van Nuys boulevards and Oxnard Street and Kester Avenue until about 11 p.m. Thursday while officers investigated, according to initial reports.
Reward of up to $50,000 offered
The reward comes from the city’s Hit and Run Reward Program. The City Council created the program’s trust fund on April 15, 2015, by amending the Los Angeles Administrative Code, according to the LAPD’s description of the program in an earlier hit-and-run case.
The reward is up to $50,000 for information leading to the offender’s identification, apprehension and conviction, or resolution through a civil compromise. Police said it applies to information about the driver of the red sedan in this case.
How to give information to investigators
Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Hansen of the Valley Traffic Division at 818-644-8255 or Detective Martinez at 818-644-8033. Outside business hours, callers can reach the LAPD at 877-527-3247.
Anonymous tips can be sent to L.A. Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
Driver has not been identified
The investigation remains active. As of Saturday, police had not announced the identification of the driver or an arrest in connection with the fatal collision.
