BEVERLY HILLS (KABC) — The Los Angeles Police Department is appealing to the public for assistance in locating the driver who struck a mother and her toddler, leaving the child lying in the street with critical injuries.
On Saturday, October 1, an SUV collided with the two, sending the 3-year-old boy flying into the air so hard that he was injured again when he hit the ground. A $25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the SUV driver.
Elsa Zelaya and her son Dominick were crossing the intersection of Broadway and 80th Street in South Los Angeles when they were hit by a car. The driver took off, but luckily another motorist came to their aid.
Elsa was lucky to escape with only minor wounds, but Dominick’s injuries were so severe that they were considered life-threatening; he underwent surgery and is currently recovering at Children’s Hospital.
The police are pleading with the perpetrator to show some compassion and surrender.
LAPD Officer Luis Herrera: “For the person at home if you’re watching this – it’s a pretty bad accident.” A young child of three years old is in the hospital and in critical condition.
It’s strange that they just abandoned him there. All you have to do is turn yourself in. Disclose the truth. What happened here was purely coincidental. The Los Angeles Police Department now records 100 or more hit-and-runs per week, according to Officer Herrera.