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LOS ANGELES, Los Angeles County, CA, Sept. 24, 2026 — A 16-year-old boy died and his younger sister was injured Tuesday night, September 22, after a speeding car struck them as they crossed a street in South Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The driver did not stop, police said.
The crash happened near 10th Avenue and 60th Street around 9:30 p.m., the LAPD said. Investigators said a blue Nissan Sentra was traveling at high speed on 60th Street when the driver reportedly ran a stop sign and hit two teenagers who were crossing with their mother.
Witnesses told police the driver kept going after the impact but then lost control and crashed into a parked car nearby. A woman who had been driving and a man riding as a passenger got out and ran from the scene, officers said.
The boy died at the scene. His sister was taken to a hospital for treatment. Family members identified the siblings, though their names have not been officially released by police. Their brother told reporters their mother managed to pull the younger sibling out of the vehicle's path but could not reach both children in time.
Police have not identified or located the driver or passenger who fled. The abandoned Nissan Sentra remains in police custody and is expected to be a key piece of evidence, the LAPD said. The department is asking anyone with information to come forward.
We are deeply sorry for the loss suffered by the victim's family.
How Investigators Piece Together a Hit-and-Run Crash
When a driver flees the scene, investigators start with what is left behind: skid marks, debris, paint transfer, and the vehicle itself if it is abandoned nearby. Crash reconstruction specialists measure the scene, examine damage patterns, and sometimes pull data from a vehicle's onboard computer to estimate speed and braking before impact. That work can take days or weeks to complete properly.
Identifying a fleeing driver depends on tracing vehicle registration, reviewing nearby security or traffic camera footage, and following tips from the public. Officials typically hold back names of drivers or suspects until they are formally identified and, if applicable, charged, which is part of why early reports can feel incomplete.
Toxicology results, when relevant, are processed by outside labs and can take several weeks to return. A final crash report usually isn't finished until all of these pieces, physical evidence, witness statements, and any lab work, come together. Families are notified of major updates before anything is made public.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than 70 percent of people killed in hit-and-run crashes were pedestrians and bicyclists in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does speed change the odds of surviving a crash like this? Yes. Higher speed means more force at impact and less time for a driver to stop or swerve, which raises the chance of severe injury or death for anyone struck, especially someone on foot.
Why does seat belt use matter in a pedestrian-involved crash? It doesn't apply to the pedestrian, but it matters for anyone inside a vehicle involved in the collision or the secondary crash, such as the parked car that was hit here. Belts reduce the chance of being thrown inside or out of the vehicle.
What should a family do after a fatal crash like this? Contact the investigating agency for updates, ask how and when you'll be notified of developments, and consider getting connected with victim support services many police departments offer.
How are fatal hit-and-run crashes investigated? Officers document the scene, collect physical evidence such as an abandoned vehicle, interview witnesses, and coordinate with reconstruction teams and, when needed, crime labs before closing out a report.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Los Angeles, CA
If you witness or are involved in a hit-and-run crash, try to move to safety first and call 911 immediately. Note any details you can, a license plate, vehicle color, or direction of travel, since even partial information can help investigators.
Anyone injured should seek medical evaluation right away, even if injuries seem minor at first. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries take hours to show symptoms.
Families affected by a crash in Los Angeles can request incident reports through the LAPD and should keep a record of any communication with investigators. Local victim services organizations can also help with next steps and emotional support during the days that follow.
