LOS ANGELES, Calif.–Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry and police announced a $50,000 reward today for information leading to the conviction of the driver who struck a South Los Angeles man June 5, leaving him brain damaged.
A Jeep Grand Cherokee, variously described as tan, brown and silver, struck Louis Brown, 61, who was walking north as he crossed East 43rd Street near South Central Avenue about 4 p.m. that Sunday.
“The collision caused Mr. Brown’s head to strike the pavement with tremendous force, resulting in a severe brain injury,” Capt. Ronald Marbrey said.
A witness told police the Jeep stopped, and the driver backed up to look at Brown, then turned right on Central Avenue and drove north, he said.
The driver was described only as Hispanic. The Jeep was believed to be a 2002 model. Some of the accident was caught on video, but the driver could not be identified, Marbrey said. Police found three witnesses and are seeking a fourth.
“This hit-and-run is particularly personal to me, because I had spent so many years knowing (Brown’s brother) and attending block club meetings in his mother’s living room,” Perry said.
Lawrence Brown said his brother was disabled and well-known in the community where he has lived his entire life.
“He’s been up and down 43rd Street with no problem all these years, and now for this to happen on the block that you were raised is even more of an insult,” Brown said.
Louis Brown underwent brain surgery for his injuries and is scheduled for another.
“He requires 24-hour care. He can’t be left alone, and it’s a tremendous burden on the family,” Brown said.
Anyone with more information about the hit-and-run was asked to call detectives Jose De Leon or Josephine Mapson at (213) 972-1953.
By Richie Duchon | City News Service
