Police and loved ones are pleading for the public’s help in tracking down a hit-and-run driver who killed a woman in South Los Angeles last month, a tragic moment that was caught on video.
It happened around 10 p.m. on Aug. 16, near the intersection of Central Avenue and 88th Street. Video showed a white BMW sedan speeding down the road and striking Latesha Washington as she entered traffic outside of a crosswalk and attempted to cross the street.
Washington, 43, was launched into the air by the force of the impact and suffered fatal injuries, officials said.
The driver of the white BMW fled without stopping, as required by California law. In the weeks since, the Los Angeles Police Department and Washington’s family have sought to identify the driver.
Rosetta Ross, the victim’s grieving mother, was among a handful of family members and Los Angeles Police Department officials who held a press conference Wednesday to plead for the public’s help and urge the driver to come forward.
Ross watched the graphic video of her daughter’s final moments, security footage that was obtained by police and has aided them in creating a description of the suspect’s vehicle: a white sedan with major damage to the front bumper and hood.
Officials are now offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the driver.
“We want justice for her. We’re not going to stop until we get justice for her,” said sister Monique Washington.
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Security footage shows a vehicle suspected of hitting and killing a woman in South L.A. on Aug. 16, 2024. (LAPD) -
Security footage shows a vehicle suspected of hitting and killing a woman in South L.A. on Aug. 16, 2024. (LAPD) -
Security footage shows a vehicle suspected of hitting and killing a woman in South L.A. on Aug. 16, 2024. (LAPD)
While this collision occurred in normal traffic, police used Wednesday’s platform to bring attention to the ever-growing problem of street races, takeovers and dangerous sideshows that have put countless lives at risk — many of which are recorded for social media or streamed live online.
“A lot of those incidents lead to death or people who are also severely injured,” said LAPD Detective Ryan Moreno.
Two such incidents left burning vehicles in South Los Angeles early Monday morning, including at University Park near the University of Southern California.
A mob of spectators gathered to witness drivers doing doughnuts and racing through streets and some allegedly smashed a window at a local car dealership.
Oftentimes, officers aren’t able to make arrests as the crowds quickly disperse by the time they arrive at the scene, officials said.
Recent statistics from Crosstown LA show that street racing has increased within the last year, with citations also spiking. However, laws meant to curb the behavior have proven ineffective and LAPD officials say the punishments are too weak to deter the crimes as they are often classified as misdemeanors.
Authorities have tried to push street racers to explore legal outlets for their behavior, like utilizing the Irwindale Speedway for races. Those proposals haven’t gained much traction, police said.
Detectives plan to crack down on offenders, with one possible solution being the identification of the 20 most problematic intersections in the city and creating a city ordinance with safety zones.
Investigators say whether it’s street racers rushing through neighborhoods with little regard for public safety, or drivers speeding through streets causing fatal hit-and-run accidents, speed ultimately kills.
They stress that the only way to prevent these tragedies is to slow down — or in the case of street takeovers, move the activity to safer ground.
The hope is that with safer roads and fewer speeding drivers, future tragedies, like the death of Latesha Washington, can be avoided.
The investigation into her death is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department at 877-527-3247.
