LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A 60-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed today by a hit-and-run driver while trying to cross a street in the Echo Park area.
The victim died at the scene of the 5:20 a.m. collision at Sunset Boulevard and Douglas Street, in which he was thrown about 60 feet, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The man's name had not been released by the coroner's office as of late this afternoon, but NBC4 identified him as Jose Vaquiero, a grandfather of three.
His ex-wife, America Martinez, told Channel 4 that he lived nearby and was trying to catch a bus that he took bus every morning to get to work in El Sereno. She pleaded with the driver to surrender or anyone who knows the motorist's identity to come forward.
``I know accidents happen, but please coming forward and fix this problem,'' she said.
Witnesses described the car as a possible blue Honda Accord, according to the LAPD's Central Traffic Division, which posted video footage of its Twitter account: LAPDCTD24. No description was available of the motorist.
The Los Angeles City Council has a standing reward offer of up to $50,000 for information that helps police solve a fatal hit-and-run.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call 877-LAPD-247.