Crime & Safety

Man Struck Twice, Dragged For Blocks In Horrific Valley Hit-And-Run: Report

A 33-year-old pedestrian was struck by two vehicles in Van Nuys before being dragged beneath a fleeing car, police said.

The stretch of Victory Boulevard between Willis and Cedros avenues in Van Nuys, where a pedestrian was struck by two vehicles and fatally dragged beneath a fleeing car Thursday evening.
The stretch of Victory Boulevard between Willis and Cedros avenues in Van Nuys, where a pedestrian was struck by two vehicles and fatally dragged beneath a fleeing car Thursday evening. (Google Earth/Patch)

VAN NUYS, CA — A 33-year-old man was struck by two vehicles and dragged for several blocks beneath the second car in a horrifying hit-and-run collision Thursday evening in Van Nuys, according to police.

The pedestrian was crossing Victory Boulevard between Willis and Cedros avenues shortly before 6 p.m. when he was struck by an eastbound blue Volvo, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

The driver of the Volvo stopped and cooperated with investigators, but the situation took a deadly turn when a second vehicle, described as a red sedan, struck the man as he lay in the roadway.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The pedestrian became trapped beneath the second car and was dragged for several blocks before becoming dislodged near Van Nuys High School, ABC7 reported. The driver continued northbound without stopping to render aid.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity had not been publicly released pending notification of his family.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

NBC Los Angeles reported that the second vehicle may have been a red Cadillac, although investigators have not confirmed its make or model.

According to NBC, the pedestrian had been attempting to get out of the roadway following the initial collision when he was struck again. Police told the station they were not investigating the driver involved in the first crash.

Aerial footage obtained by ABC7 showed the Volvo stopped with a shattered windshield, while dark skid marks extended along Cedros Avenue toward the location where emergency crews had erected a tent over the victim.

Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division detectives are investigating the fatal collision and searching for the driver who fled.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.