Yet another teenage cyclist has been murdered by a heartless hit-and-run driver.
Late last night, news broke that a South LA pedestrian had been seriously injured by a driver who fled the scene. By this morning, it was clear that the victim, identified as by the LA Times as 19-year old Oscar Toledo Jr., had been riding a bike when he was run down.
KNBC-4 places the collision around 9:40 pm at the intersection of South Normandie Ave and West 47th Street. Toledo was reportedly crossing Normandie on 47th when he was hit by a car traveling south on Normandie; no word on which direction he was riding. However, the Times story says he was making a left, apparently onto Normandie.
The driver fled the scene, evidently without slowing or stopping.
Toledo was transported to a local hospital in critical condition; KNBC reports he died there while the Times says he passed away in the ambulance.
Police are looking for a red Toyota Corolla or burgundy Pontiac, which suggests there may have been at least two witnesses to the crash. KNBC reports police will be looking to see if collision may have been captured on surveillance video from local businesses.
KABC-7 quotes an LAPD detective, who says the vehicle may have front end damage constant with striking a bike.
“The young man was 19 years old, leaves behind a caring family, his mother, his brother. It’s very important that if witnesses have any information to come forward so we can solve this crime,” said Render.
Anyone with information is urges to call the LAPD at 877/LAPD-24-7.
This is the 44th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, which compares with 32 this time last year. It’s also the 18th cycling death in LA County, and the fifth in the City of LA; three of those five deaths have been hit-and-runs.
Update: KTLA-5 reports Toledo had recently become a father; now a child will grow up never knowing his dad. A ghost bike will be installed at the location Friday evening.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Oscar Toledo Jr. and all his loved ones.
Thanks to Richard Risemberg and James Johnson for the heads-up.
