Hit-And-Run Driver Yells, Makes Obscene Gesture After Striking, Injuring 2 Pedestrians In Valley

GRANADA HILLS, CA --- A motorist struck two people in Granada Hills and drove away from the scene, but not before sticking out his left arm and making an obscene gesture at his victims as he drove away, a police officer
said today.

The victims were a woman in her 50s who suffered serious injuries and was listed in critical condition at an area hospital, and a female teenager who suffered moderate injuries and was listed in good condition at an area hospital, said Officer Alejandro Castillo of the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Traffic Division.

The crash occurred at 9:50 p.m. Friday on Chatsworth Street west of Balboa Boulevard, Castillo said. The suspect's vehicle was described as a dark compact vehicle that might have sustained some front-end damage.

The victims were crossing Chatsworth Street, mid-block, when they were struck by the motorist, he said.

"Immediately after the crash, the driver, described only as a male, yelled at the victims and simultaneously stuck out his left arm, made an obscene gesture with his hand and drove away without stopping to render aid or identify himself," Castillo said.

The car was last seen going westbound from the location on Chatsworth Street, Castillo said.

Anyone with information regarding the crash was asked to call the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division at (818) 644-8021.

On April 15, 2015, the City Council created the Hit and Run Reward Program Trust Fund, in which a reward of up to $50,000 is available to the public to provide information leading to the offender's identification, apprehension, and conviction or resolution through a civil compromise.

• Also see: Boy, 16, Accused Of Fatal Stabbing Of Valley Woman To Be Tried As Adult

--City News Service