It’s a murder that could be right out of an improbable TV series.
A 32-year-old man was trapped in the wreckage of his car after it was rammed from behind by an SUV in Reseda, and before anyone could help him, an occupant of the SUV walked over and shot the smashed car driver to death.
Police Friday hunted the killer and sought the public’s help in their efforts.
Officers arriving at the crash said they found the victim on the ground near the overturned wreckage, and they said a passerby had pulled him out after the shooting.
Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division officers were called at 10 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a crash near Gault Street and Crebs Avenue. That corner is two blocks south of Sherman Way, near Wilbur Avenue.
Paramedics were called and they pronounced the man dead at the scene, according to police. His name was withheld pending notification of his next of kin.
Detectives said they learned a black SUV with at least one suspect inside appeared to have rammed the victim’s vehicle from behind.
“This caused the victim’s vehicle to crash into parked vehicles and then (overturn), trapping the victim … ,” according to a police statement. “An unidentified suspect exited the dark SUV and shot and killed the victim.”
The suspect then fled in the SUV, according to police. Someone else pulled the victim out of his vehicle and called authorities, they said.
Police asked anyone with information about the crash and fatal shooting to call the LAPD’s Valley Bureau Homicide Division at (818) 374-1943 to speak with Detective John Doerbecker.
After-hours and weekend called should be directed to (877) LAPD-24-7. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 222- TIPS.
–City News Service