Police are investigating a hit-and-run accident earlier this month that left a 35-year-old Colombian tourist in critical condition, KTLA reported.
The collision occurred on Jan. 6 at approximately 6:40 PM at the corner of Lorena Street and Whittier Boulevard in Boyle Heights, according to an LAPD press release. KTLA identified the victim as a woman named Erika, who was sent to the intensive care unit at L.A. County+USC Medical Center with a skull fracture and bleeding around the brain.
The LAPD’s Central Traffic Division released a video of the accident last week, offering a $25,000 reward for any information that might help identify the driver or vehicle.
The video shows a dark-colored SUV turning left onto Lorena Street from Whittier Boulevard, striking Erika and narrowly missing her boyfriend as they crossed the street. The vehicle, which LAPD identified as a possible Ford Explorer, then continued northbound onto Lorena Street and entered the 60 Freeway, according to the press release.
“Didn’t even stop, didn’t put on brakes – nothing,” LAPD Detective Moses Castillo told KTLA. “Just kept on going.”
Warning: video below is graphic.
$25K reward is offered 2 the public in identifying driver & veh of a Severe Hit&Run that occurred @LAPDHollenbeck.See Press Release&Video. @LAPDGaryWalters @VisionZeroLA @KCBSKCALDesk @LANow @NBCLA @KTLAnewsdesk @ABC7 @FOXLA @LaOpinionLA @TelemundoLA @Univision34LA @EstrellatvLA pic.twitter.com/M0GPpFmA8O
— LAPDCTD (@LAPDCTD24) January 10, 2019
Several other pedestrians have been injured in high-profile car crashes along Whittier Boulevard in Boyle Heights over the past few months. In November, an 11-year-old girl was killed after a speeding driver allegedly under the influence of nitrous oxide sent a parked car careening into a taco stand. A week later, a Sheriff’s vehicle slammed into an SUV that hit a group of pedestrians at the intersection of South Indiana Street and Whittier Boulevard, killing two young boys and seriously injuring their mother.
