Crime & Safety
20-Year-Old Killed In Violent Valley Hit-And-Run Crash
Police are asking for help finding the hit-and-run driver of a dark-colored Dodge Ram truck.
CANOGA PARK, CA — A 20-year-old man was killed in a violent hit-and-run crash in Canoga Park Tuesday. Police are asking for help identifying a driver who left him for dead.
The crash occurred at about 12:30 a.m. at DeSoto Avenue and Vanowen Street. According to investigators, the driver of a black Dodge Ram truck ran a red light and slammed into a Lexus. The Lexus driver died after the crash sent his car careening into a telephone pole, and he was ejected from the car, according to Los Angeles Police Department Officer Lizeth Lomeli told City News Service.
"The driver [of the Dodge Ram] was traveling at a high-rate of speed, in excess of over 80 miles an hour," LAPD Capt. Andy Neiman told Fox 11, adding that the Dodge's airbags had exploded.
Find out what's happening in North Hollywood-Toluca Lakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Lexus driver, Nelson Castaneda, 20, of Canoga Park., died at the scene, according to Lomeli said and the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
Debris from the collision was scattered throughout the scene.
Find out what's happening in North Hollywood-Toluca Lakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"The driver of the Dodge Ram fled the scene without rendering aid to the victim or identifying himself to law enforcement," according to an LAPD statement.
The driver of the Dodge Ram ran away and an LAPD K-9 unit attempted to track him but the search was called off at around 5 a.m.
City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.