Hit & Run Driver 'Stole Her From Us'

ENCINO, CA — The family of a Woodland Hills mother-of-two killed by a hit-and-run driver in Encino is asking for help today finding her killer.

Yana Lavrenteva, 30 died while crossing a Ventura Boulevard Saturday night during a girl's night out with friends. She had stopped to adjust her shoes while in a crosswalk when she was hit by a driver who kept going. Her husband shared is his grief in hope of finding justice for the mother of his two young children.

"We came here to just pray for her soul," her husband, Evgeny Lavrentev told CBS2 at a memorial for his wife on Tuesday night. "We have to learn how to live now without her."

Police are asking for anyone who can help find the hit-and-run driver to come forward. The vehicle that struck Lavrenteva at 11:50 p.m. Saturday was described as a possible silver 1996 to 2000 Toyota 4-Runner, according to police. Lavrenteva was hit on Ventura Boulevard, east of Louise Avenue, according to Los Angeles police. She died at a hospital.

"The driver, still we don't know who, just hit her," Evgeny Lavrentev said. "And it was like, he stole her, (he) stole her from us."

In addition to her husband, she is survived by their 6-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the LAPD Valley Traffic Detective Lisset Fuentes at (818) 644-8021 or Detective Dan Menesez at (818) 644-8028. Tipsters can also call the LAPD's 24-hour tipline at (877) LAPD- 24-7 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

City News Service contributed to this report.