5-year-old boy killed, grandma injured in Gardena hit-and-run

GARDENA, Calif. - A 5-year-old boy was killed and his grandmother was injured after they were hit by a car in Gardena Sunday morning. The driver fled the scene.

Gardena Police reported the incident around 10:30 a.m., near the intersection of Marine and Budlong avenues. When officers got there, they found two pedestrians in the road. 

Paramedics with the Los Angeles County Fire Department treated the boy and his grandma. The boy, identified as Patrick Chacon of Gardena, died at the scene, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. The grandmother, identified by family as Emma Chacon, 77 was brought to the hospital. Family said she is still hospitalized Monday with a broken leg. 

Patrick Chacon, 5 

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"A preliminary investigation revealed an unknown driver was traveling eastbound on Marine Ave approaching Budlong Ave. The driver turned north on Budlong Ave. colliding with both pedestrians in the crosswalk. The driver then fled the scene," police said.

Gardena Police also said they don't believe speed was a factor in the crash, and that they're searching for a mid-size dark-colored SUV.

The crash that killed Patrick Chacon was the second fatal crash in Gardena Sunday morning, the second coming hours earlier. Police were called to the intersection of Vermont Avenue and El Segundo Boulevard just before 4 a.m. When police got to the scene, they found a woman in the road. 

Paramedics took her to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The driver in that crash, though, stayed at the scene. Police said the preliminary investigation showed that the driver was headed south on Vermont, when they hit the pedestrian who was in the intersection.

Police are still investigating both crashes. Anyone with information was asked to call Gardena Police.

City News Service contributed to this report.