Police are searching for a driver involved in a deadly Thanksgiving Day hit-and-run crash that has left a family in Inglewood devastated.
Martin Rodriguez, a father and grandfather, left his family home at around 4 p.m. for a bike ride then seemingly vanished, never returning home for Thanksgiving dinner.
Unbeknownst to family members who filed a missing person report later that evening because it was so unlike him not to return, Rodriguez had been struck by a yellow-colored vehicle at 102nd Street and Hawthorne Boulevard.
Surveillance footage shows the car leaving the scene, speeding away eastbound on residential streets near 102nd Street and Freeman Avenue.
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Suspect vehicle believed to be involved in a fatal Nov. 28, 2024, hit-and-run seen on surveillance footage. (viewer image) -
Suspect vehicle believed to be involved in a fatal Nov. 28, 2024, hit-and-run seen on surveillance footage. (viewer image) -
Martin Rodriguez and his wife seen in this undated family photo. (viewer image) -
Martin Rodriguez and two grandsons seen in this undated family photo. (viewer image) -
Martin Rodriguez and a grandchild seen in this undated family photo. (viewer image) -
Martin Rodriguez seen in this undated family photo. (viewer image) -
Martin Rodriguez seen on life support in the hospital before passing on Dec. 5, 2024. (viewer image)
While searching local hospitals for their loved one, they found him on life support at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. He had been rushed into surgery for head trauma.
“We tried asking the nurse and doctors what happened,” his daughter, Raquel Rodriguez told KTLA’s Gene Kang. “They just said, ‘We don’t know. It could’ve been a car accident or something.’ It was a nightmare trying to piece everything together while we were in the hospital.”
Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries on Dec. 5.
Loved ones created an Ofrenda, an altar with flowers, candles and photos to honor Rodriguez, a landscaper, who was recently widowed after his wife passed away of cancer. The beloved grandfather is being remembered for his love of gardening and his devotion to his family.
“He was a hardworking, man,” his son, Abel Rodriguez, said. “He was less about kind words, he was more about action. He loved us dearly and made sure we had a good future, for our kids too. He loved his grandchildren a lot.”
Family members, who have organized a GoFundMe to help with the expense of laying their loved one to rest, are asking for the community’s help in locating the driver and have this message for the suspect:
“You took our father away,” Raquel said. “You took our kids grandfather away, you took a loving friend away. You took somebody that was loved. Turn yourself in.”
Anyone with information about this investigation or who recognizes the vehicle is urged to contact the Inglewood Police Department.
