Police Seek Hit-and-Run Driver Who Killed a Man in North Hollywood

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA -- Police sought the public's help Thursday in identifying the hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a man in North Hollywood when he stumbled into the street during a fight with a bar bouncer.

The incident occurred around 1:45 a.m. on Dec. 15 in the 6600 block of Lankershim Boulevard, where the victim, 47-year-old Apollo Rodriguez, was punched in the face by a bouncer, causing him to fall to the ground, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.

Rodriguez, who police said was drunk at the time, stood back up and began to argue with the bouncer, 34-year-old Ernest Reyes of Arleta, who again struck Rodriguez, causing him to fall backward and onto the street, police said.

Rodriguez was then struck by a vehicle traveling north on Lankershim Boulevard. The vehicle, a black sedan with tinted windows, continued northbound, without the driver stopping to render aid, police said.

Rodriguez suffered critical injuries and, despite lifesaving efforts, died from his injuries.

A murder charge was filed Monday against Reyes, who was being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending arraignment, which was postponed to Jan. 12. If convicted as charged, Reyes faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

Anyone with information about the driver of the sedan was asked to contact the LAPD Valley Bureau Homicide detectives at (818) 374-1925.

City News Service