Severe Injury Hit and Run Traffic Collision NR21070jc

East Hollywood:  Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Traffic Division are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect or suspects responsible for the Hit and Run traffic collision that severely injured a man.

On February 6, 2021, around 8:05 p.m., a severe injury felony hit and run collision occurred on Virgil Avenue just south of Clinton Street when the victim, a tow truck driver, was in the process of towing a vehicle.  The tow truck’s yellow light bar was activated, and the victim was wearing a reflective vest.  As the victim was completing a tow assignment and was taking photographs of the vehicle he was towing, the suspect vehicle, described as a red sedan, was traveling southbound on Virgil Avenue.  The suspect vehicle struck the victim and launched him into the air.  The victim traveled approximately 35 feet before coming to rest in the bed of his tow truck.  The driver of the red sedan fled without identifying themselves or attempting to render aid to the victim. 

The victim was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit with severe injuries as a result of the incident.

Central Traffic Division detectives obtained video that captured the incident.  That video of the collision and a message from the victim to the driver of the red sedan can be viewed on Central Traffic Division’s Twitter account (@LAPDCTD24) or Central Traffic Division’s YouTube account by visiting https://youtu.be/r0OEtFCJ8zM

Drivers are reminded that if they become involved in a collision, they should pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene to identify themselves.

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 $25,000 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 about this collision is asked to contact officer G. Diaz or Detective Juan Campos of Central Traffic Division Detectives at 213-833-3713 or email [email protected].  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.  Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip.  Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.