South LA teen killed: Hit-and-run driver strikes 16-year-old on minibike
Hit-and-run driver kills LA teen on minibike
A hit-and-run driver killed a South Los Angeles teen who was riding a minibike.
LOS ANGELES - Authorities are asking for the public's help identifying the suspected hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a teen boy on a minibike in South Los Angeles early Sunday morning.
What we know:
Officials with the Los Angeles Police Department said the deadly incident happened around 2 a.m. Sunday near San Pedro and 99th streets in South LA's Green Meadows neighborhood.
LAPD investigators said the teen boy was riding a minibike northbound when he was struck by a dark-colored Toyota Corolla traveling in the same direction. He was pronounced dead at the scene by firefighter-paramedics.
Authorities said following the crash, the driver of the car ditched it and ran away. The vehicle was towed as evidence.
A family member and the LA County Medical Examiner identified the victim as 16-year-old Hayden Neighbors, who was in his junior year at nearby John C. Fremont High School.
The suspect is described as a man, possibly in his 20s, with a heavy build.
South LA teen struck, killed in hit-and-run crash
The search continues for the hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a teen in South LA over the weekend.
What we don't know:
It's unclear if the suspect was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. He also has not been identified.
What they're saying:
Residents in the area said minibikes, which are illegal to ride on public streets, are common in the area.
"I would rather them be doing that than doing something that would get them put in jail," said South LA resident, Laverne Lewis.
"It’s time for everybody to pay attention because there’s too much happening right here," she added.
The LAPD said most of the minibikes are operated by minors and they don’t have the proper safety equipment, such as lights, mirrors and turn signals.
What you can do:
Detectives are urging anyone who witnessed the collision or has information about the suspect to come forward.
Drivers are reminded of their legal obligation to stop, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene if involved in a collision.
The City of Los Angeles offers a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, apprehension, and conviction of hit-and-run offenders.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
The Source: Information for this story is from a Los Angeles Police Department press release put out on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.