Man dragged 25-feet after being run over by van in LA; hit-and-run driver sought
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Police Department is searching for a hit-and-run driver who ran over a man, dragging him 25-feet.
The incident, which occurred August 27, just before 9 p.m., was captured on surveillance video.
According to police, the victim, Luis Lopez, was riding an electric scooter on Fickett Street, near Boulder Street, when he lost his balance and fell to the ground. While he laid on the ground unconscious, a white van ran over Lopez and dragged him approximately 25-feet before being dislodged. The driver of the van fled without stopping.
The suspect vehicle is described as a white Ford Econoline van.
Fatima Garcia, Lopez' partner of 11 years, said she and the couple's 7-year-old daughter were traumatized by the hit and run.
"It was really awful and heartbreaking because he [the driver] just left him [Lopez] there. When I saw him there, we thought we had lost him for a moment. He was really in bad condition so it's hard for me because I have a 7-year-old daughter and she's been crying every night for her dad," said Garcia.
Garcia said Lopez is in the ICU with several broken bones, and lacerations. The hospital has not given him a release date yet.
"How could he [the driver] have the heart to do this? He just left him there like he was nothing because I'm pretty sure he [the driver] saw him because there was a gap of distance for him to see him [Lopez]," said Garcia.
Garcia is hoping someone will come forward with information.
"If anybody has any information that can lead to the suspect, even if he's [the suspect] watching this, he can turn himself in because he changed his [Lopez] life from one day to another. We never expected this," said Garcia.
Police are searching for the suspect responsible; a $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest. Lopez's family is pleading for the driver to come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Juan Campos, Central Traffic Detectives, at (213) 833-3713, or email him at 31480@lapd.online, or contact the Central Traffic Division Watch Commander at (213) 833-3746. You can remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.