New L.A. Alert System Designed to Address Hit-and-Run ‘Epidemic’

Los Angeles Times and Courtney Friel

10 years ago

A makeshift memorial for Daniella Palacios, a 44-year-old mother of eight, who was fatally struck in a hit-and-run crash as she rode her bike in Anaheim last fall. (Credit: Barbara Davidson/Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles is launching a hit-and-run alert system that will publish information on social media about cars and drivers linked to fatal and other severe hit-and-runs.

City Hall officials announced the move Tuesday.

Family members gather at a memorial for Daniella Palacios, a 44-year-old mother of eight, who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver as she rode her bicycle in Anaheim in November 2014. (Credit: Barbara Davidson/Los Angeles Times)

The city of L.A. sees about 20,000 hit-and-run collisions a year. The majority result only in property damage. But in 2014, 27 people died in hit-and-run crashes in Los Angeles, and 144 others were severely injured, the city said.

Publicizing a make, model, color and license plate number of a vehicle could encourage a neighbor, friend or even a cab driver in the area to call 911, Los Angeles Police Department officials told the Los Angeles Times.

Click here to read the full story on LATimes.com.