Authorities are searching for four individuals believed to be involved in a hit-and-run incident that caused severe injuries to a 14-year-old boy riding a bicycle in South Los Angeles last month. The incident occurred at around 7:30 p.m. on May 16 at the intersection of Main and 27th Streets.
The Los Angeles Police Department reported that the collision involved a stolen 2014 black Kia Optima. The car had been taken by four males approximately 30 minutes prior to the incident in the 300 block of West 14th Street.
According to the LAPD statement, the stolen sedan was observed traveling southbound on Main Street at a high speed towards Adams Boulevard when the tires lost traction. As a result, the driver lost control of the Kia, causing it to fishtail and collide with the young bicyclist on the opposite side of the road.
The victim, Julio Flores, recalls seeing the car lose control but does not remember being hit. The LAPD released video footage capturing the moment of impact, showing the boy being thrown into the air and landing on the sidewalk.
Yesenia Emestica from the department described the footage as graphic and noted the lack of remorse exhibited by the suspects, who failed to stop and check if the victim was still alive.
Following the incident, the stolen car was abandoned in the 200 block of West 31st Street. Surveillance video showed an unidentified male approaching the vehicle, getting inside, and driving away. The car was later found abandoned in the 300 block of 32nd Street the next day.
The hit-and-run driver and passengers are described as men between the ages of 18 and 20. The driver was last seen wearing a black sweater, black pants, black sneakers, and a black-and-white backpack.
The individual suspected of stealing the abandoned car is believed to be a man aged between 35 and 40, wearing a black-and-white patterned hooded top, dark pants, and red sneakers.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the case to contact LAPD Investigator Y. Emestica from the Central Traffic Division detectives at (213) 486-0761 or via email at [email protected]. A reward of $25,000 is being offered for information leading to the identification, apprehension, and conviction of the suspects.
