Community Rallies as Police Search for Hit-and-Run Driver in Tragic Accident Involving Two Lives, Including a Baby
Investigation Underway in Playa del Rey Hit-and-Run that Claimed Two Lives
Authorities are searching for a driver involved in a hit-and-run incident that occurred early Sunday morning in Playa del Rey, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, including a 1-year-old child.
The Los Angeles Police Department reported that the crash took place around 4:34 a.m. on Vista Del Mar Avenue, near Culver Boulevard. According to police, a white Jeep Cherokee traveling southbound crossed into oncoming traffic, colliding with a blue BMW.
The driver of the Jeep fled the scene on foot, leaving behind the wreckage. Inside the BMW were four occupants, including the young child. A man, estimated to be around 30 years old, died at the scene, while the baby and a 27-year-old woman were rushed to a local hospital. Tragically, the baby did not survive treatment.
Cory Cooper, a resident of the area, witnessed the aftermath of the crash and attempted to assist the injured child. “When I walked up to the accident, there were some people already there and there was a man holding the child, and it didn’t look like the child was doing well,” Cooper recounted. “So we gave him CPR, waited for 911, and then they pulled out another passenger while we were giving CPR and she didn’t look good, either.”
Cooper, a father himself, called 911 for instructions on how to administer CPR until first responders arrived. Another individual joined the effort, anxiously checking the child’s condition. “(She) ran over and was holding the child and trying to get him warm, saying, ‘He’s still warm. He’s still warm,’” Cooper said. “We held the baby and we tried to give the baby CPR for as long as we could.”
The LAPD has issued a reminder that a reward of up to $50,000 is available for information leading to the suspect’s identification, arrest, and conviction. Authorities are urging anyone with details regarding the collision or the suspected driver to contact the LAPD’s West Traffic Division detectives at 213-473-0234.
