A 40-year-old suspected of killing a pedestrian in Van Nuys in his 30s in a hit-and-run collision while intoxicated has been taken into custody, authorities announced Tuesday.
The collision occurred at approximately 10:25 p.m. Monday, when a white Mercedes-Benz traveling southbound on Van Nuys Boulevard, approaching Sherman Way at an unsafe speed, struck a pedestrian crossing the street in a marked crosswalk, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Police said the impact of the crash resulted in the victim being thrown in a southwest direction before hitting the roadway, with the Mercedes-Benz continuing northbound on Van Nuys Boulevard without stopping to render aid, noting that the driver was under the influence of an unspecified intoxicant.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the location, where they pronounced the pedestrian dead at the scene. His name was withheld by authorities pending notification of relatives.
Police said that detectives eventually located the suspect, identified as Jose Maranon of North Hollywood, after further investigation and follow-ups, and took him into custody.
Maranon was booked at the Van Nuys Jail on suspicion of murder, with a bail set at $2 million.
Anyone with information about the fatal hit-and-run crash was urged to call Valley Traffic Division Detective Barragan at 818-644-8028 or Officer Freeman at 818-644-8115. Calls during non-business hours should be made to 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.