A 60-year-old man who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while walking in a marked crosswalk in Chatsworth was identified Monday by authorities.
Raju Dewitt died at the scene of the collision, which was reported about 12:40 a.m. Sunday at De Soto Avenue and Lassen Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Dewitt was walking in the crosswalk when he was struck by an SUV, possibly a black BMW, traveling southbound on De Soto Avenue, police said.
The driver briefly stopped at the curb south of Lassen Street before fleeing southbound without identifying himself or herself or rendering aid, according to police. Investigators described the driver as possibly male but did not release an age or other identifying information.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced Dewitt dead at the scene.
Valley Traffic Division detectives were investigating the collision and asked anyone who witnessed it, particularly motorists traveling southbound on De Soto Avenue north of Lassen Street around the time of the crash, to contact police.
A reward of up to $50,000 may be available under the city’s Hit-and-Run Reward Program for information leading to the driver’s identification, apprehension and conviction, or resolution through a civil compromise.
Anyone with information was urged to contact Valley Traffic Division Officer Lozon at 818-644-8117 or Officer Reyes at 818-644-8114. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.