Police and aggrieved family members gathered in South Los Angeles Thursday to plead for information that could help identify a hit-and-run driver who ran down a 65-year-old Chicagoan who was in town for a Dodgers-Cubs series.
A silver four-door sedan was being driven north on Figueroa Street near 75th Street in South L.A. at about 3:10 a.m. Monday when it hit Jose Melesio, who was walking on Figueroa, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The driver did not stop or even appear to slow down before hitting Melesio and sending his body flying, according to video of the crash. The suspect vehicle was abreast of another car that slowed as they approached the pedestrian, but the suspect did not brake and mowed down Melesio.
Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department responded and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Police released video of the crash at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y9VMGtQM5 and a photo of the vehicle at x.com/LAPDPIO/status/2049978997807956419/photo/1 in the hope that someone will come forward and bring the driver to justice.
At Thursday’s news conference, where department commanders and Melesio’s family members appealed to the public for information in the case, one loved one became emotional while describing the good-natured victim and the effect of his loss on his relatives in the Windy City.
As with all unsolved hit-and-run fatalities in Los Angeles, a $50,000 reward was offered in the case.
Anyone with information about the fataility or the driver was urged to call the LAPD’s South Traffic Division at 323-421-2500 to speak with Officer Antonio Hurd or Detective Ryan Moreno. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at lacrimestoppers.org, or 800-222-TIPS (8477).