Detectives Thursday were hoping that a reward of up to $50,000 will develop clues that will help them find the hit-and-run motorist responsible for fatally injuring a man who was crossing a street in the south Los Angeles area with his wife and child.
Jemmy Chavarria, 46, was injured about 7:15 p.m. on Feb. 26 at 84th and Hoover streets, and he died at a hospital, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office and the Los Angeles Police Department.
Authorities planned a news conference Thursday morning near the crash scene to announce the reward and release security video and other details of the investigation.
“A family of three was crossing eastbound 84th and Hoover Street in a marked crosswalk,” police said in a statement. “The suspect’s vehicle went into oncoming southbound lanes at a high rate of speed and struck the victim.
“In his final moments, the victim pushed his wife out of harm’s way and tossed his baby in the air towards the sidewalk, saving their lives,” police said. “Unfortunately, the victim received a brunt of the impact from the suspect’s vehicle and succumbed to his injuries sustained from the collision.”
A standing reward of up to $50,000 has been offered by the city of Los Angeles for information that helps solve a fatal hit and run.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call LAPD South Traffic Division Detective Moreno or Officer Guzman, at 323-421-2500, or the South Traffic Division watch commander at 323-421-2570. Tipsters may also call 877-LAPD-247, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.