Two pedestrians were seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash in Los Angeles’ Koreatown neighborhood, and the suspect remains at large.
The victims, a 27-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman, did not want to be identified but spoke to KTLA about the crash.
On November 18th, two friends were walking to a local restaurant to enjoy dinner. They crossed the road outside a crosswalk near Western Street at Monett Street around 8:37 p.m.
Dashcam footage from a nearby bus showed two people waiting in the median as cars passed by on the busy road.
At that time, the suspect in a Toyota Camry collided with the two men, violently pushing them onto the hood of the car and causing them to fall. The driver sped away, leaving the injured victim in the road.
Both pedestrians were taken to the hospital for treatment. As a result of the collision, both men suffered serious injuries, including internal bleeding and broken bones. Both said, “I’m glad to be alive.”
On November 28, 2024, two victims were standing in the median of a traffic jam in Koreatown, moments before they were hit by a vehicle. (Los Angeles Police Department) The suspect’s gray 2018-2024 Toyota Camry sedan was captured on dashcam video passing by. bus. (Los Angeles Police Department) The two victims of this hit-and-run accident, a 27-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman, were hospitalized with serious injuries. (KTLA) Onboard camera footage from a passing bus captures the moment two pedestrians are struck by a vehicle in Los Angeles’ Koreatown on November 28, 2024. (Los Angeles Police Department)
“one time [the car] I remember holding my head because it hurt so much,” the female victim said through tears. “I looked up at the sky and thought, ‘Is this what heaven would be like?’ I was lucky to come out of there as normal as possible.”
“When I was able to stand up, the first thing I remember was the bus driver saying, ‘You ran away!'” the victim recalled.
The female victim was eventually transferred to a rehabilitation center, where she still wears a neck brace. She suffered internal bleeding, broke her leg in two places, and has constant throbbing headaches.
The victim said, “I feel a variety of emotions every day.” “The physical pain, the mental emotions, and just a lot of ‘what if’s.’ And then, ‘What happened?’
The suspect vehicle is described as a gray 2018-2024 Toyota Camry sedan. Police said there may be damage to the driver’s side where the crash occurred.
Friends said they hope the driver is arrested soon before another pedestrian is injured or killed.
The female victim said, “If it wasn’t me, it would be someone else tomorrow.”
A reward of up to $50,000 is available to anyone who provides information that leads to the identification, arrest, or conviction of a suspect.
“Motorists are reminded that if they are involved in a collision, they must pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so, call emergency services, remain at the scene and identify themselves,” police said in a statement. “I am doing so,” he said.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Los Angeles Police Department Detective II Holmes at 213-473-0238. The public can also call LAPD at 1-877-527-3247.
Anonymous tips can be provided to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
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