1 Pedestrian, 3 Hit And Run Drivers

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 62 year-old man was killed on Thanksgiving after he was struck by three hit and run drivers in the West Adams district. Even in a city plagued by a hit and run epidemic, his is a horror story: three drivers hit him and left him for dead. The final driver dragged him for several blocks before she pulled over. She saw him under her car and reversed to dislodge him before fleeing.

Investigators Thursday sought help tracking down the three hit and run drivers. It's the latest tragedy in a city that averages 20,000 annual hit-and-run cases, including more than 4,000 that involve injuries.

Jihad Muhammad was standing in the street outside a crosswalk in the intersection of Adams Boulevard and West View Street about 8:40 p.m. when he was struck by a car, possibly a white Audi A5, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

"After ... (he was) struck and knocked to the ground, a possible white Cadillac Seville struck the victim as he laid motionless in the street," according to a police statement.

A good Samaritan tried to help Muhammad, but another vehicle, a possible white/gray Ford Focus, also struck the downed man, causing him to become lodged beneath the car, police said.

"That third vehicle continued eastbound on Adams Boulevard for several blocks before pulling into a gas station on the corner of Adams Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard," police said. "The driver, an elderly black female, approximately 70 years old, pulled up to the gas pumps and exited ... to see what was under her vehicle."

That's when the woman got back into the car and backed up, dislodging Muhammad, police said.

"The passenger of the vehicle exited, observed the victim on the ground, re-entered the vehicle and ... fled the scene, possibly eastbound on Adams Boulevard," police said.

Muhammad was pronounced dead at the scene. According to police, he was a well-known and well-liked homeless man who had survived cancer and earned money selling shirts.

The tragedy hit many in the community

"Where is God in all this," resident Leroy Clavon said to KTLA. "How can you run over a human being, and just look out there, know you did it, and then pull off?"

Anyone with information that could help investigators identify the drivers was urged to call 424-298-7898 to speak with Detective Moreno, or 323- 421-2500 to speak with Officer Lopez Del Haro.

During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 323-421-2577 or 877-LAPD-24-7.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or lacrimestoppers.org.

City News Service contributed to this report.