The Long Beach Police Department on Monday released an update on the Dec. 26 hit-and-run incident in which the victim, Nikki Rush, 78, succumbed to her injuries on Jan. 4.
Investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect, who they believe may have been driving through a red light and may have T-boned Nicki’s car.
Nikki’s son, Chris Rush, told KTLA over the weekend that his mother was just a few blocks from her home in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood when she was struck at the intersection of California Avenue and San Antonio Drive. He said he was there.
According to investigators, the male suspect briefly got out of the car after the accident, but quickly returned to the car and drove away.
Authorities have not released a description of the suspect, but his vehicle is described as a tan Toyota Avalon sedan. Surveillance video of the car showed significant damage to the front end.
Surveillance camera images show the suspect’s tan Toyota Avalon sedan with significant damage to the front end. (Long Beach Police Department)
Police said the victim, identified by her family as Nikki, refused medical treatment at the scene but was taken to a medical facility several hours after the accident.
“At that point, she was complaining of severe headaches and neck pain,” Chris said.
Chris said that when her family arrived at Nikki, she had sustained severe head injuries and had no recollection of the crash.
The 78-year-old fell into a coma after undergoing brain surgery and was placed on life support at Long Beach Memorial, but a former co-volunteer of Nikki’s previously reported that Nikki was sent to two rescue studies in Holland and Holland. This is one of the hospitals where he was visiting patients. Gabby.
Hit-and-run victim Nikki Rush is seen holding the paw of her rescued Labrador retriever, Gabby, moments before she dies. January 2025. (Chris Rush) This undated photo shows hit-and-run victim Nikki Rush with her rescued Labrador retriever, Gabby. (Andrew Lesser) This undated photo shows hit-and-run victim Nikki Rush. (Chris Rush) This undated photo shows hit-and-run victim Nikki Rush. (Chris Rush) Hit-and-run victim Nikki Rush is seen holding the paw of her rescued Labrador retriever, Gabby, moments before she dies. January 2025. (Andrew Lesser)
“The nurses in the ICU were very kind,” said Andrew Lesser, president of Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue (SCLRR). “They gave special permission for Nikki’s service dog Gabby to visit with her.”
Loved ones told KTLA’s Carlos Saucedo that Gabby was by Nikki’s side when she died.
Long Beach hit-and-run victim dies while being cared for by therapy dog
“Due to the neck and brain injuries she sustained, she was kept alive by machines, so after 10 days we followed her health care instructions,” said Nikki’s son, Chris Rush. Ta. “We let her go peacefully.”
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or who can identify the suspect driver to call Long Beach Police Detective Ashley Van Holland at 562-570-7355. Anonymous tips can be provided to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
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