Woman Killed In Northridge Hit-and-Run Identified

NORTHRIDGE, CA — Authorities Thursday released video footage of the white van that struck and killed a 31-year-old woman in Northridge early Monday morning.

Authorities identified the woman as Kristen Long, who was unhoused. Long was pushing a shopping cart in the early morning hours Monday at Tampa Avenue and Business Center Drive when she was struck by the hit-and-run driver. The crash involving a white Chevrolet work van with windows on the side happened just before 3 a.m. Monday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The van will have significant front-end damage, Los Angeles Police Department Detective Jonathan Otrosina told Patch.

"Someone may have seen a van matching that description passing by," he said.

"We do have a witness that saw the collision but did not follow the individual," added Otrosina.

Detectives are working additional leads and are encouraging anyone with information about the hit-and-run driver to come forward. The city is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the conviction in the fatal hit-and-run, Otrosina said.

"She was struck from behind by a white Chevrolet Express van with side windows and front-end collision damage," Otrosina said. "The driver of the van continued northbound on Tampa Avenue and made a right turn to eastbound Nordhoff Street."

Paramedics arrived to pronounce the woman dead at the scene.

Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact detectives at 818-644-8036. Anonymous tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.