Overview
- Jose Melesio, 65, visiting from Chicago, was fatally struck while walking near Figueroa Street and 75th Street on April 27 at about 3:10 a.m., and the driver fled.
- LAPD released surveillance video and announced a $50,000 reward Thursday to help locate and prosecute the hit-and-run driver.
- Investigators say a small four-door sedan, likely silver, gray or white, was heading north on Figueroa and hit Melesio at high speed without stopping.
- Detectives report they do not have a clear image of the driver and are asking the public and auto body shops to report cars with fresh front-end damage through LAPD South Traffic or LA Crime Stoppers.
- Relatives have launched a GoFundMe for funeral costs, and police note that 15 of 29 traffic deaths in South LA this year involved hit-and-runs.