Police were searching for a driver on Thursday who fled after fatally striking a 17-year-old boy who was walking home from a park with his brother in Valley Glen.
The teen was crossing the street in the 7000 block of Whitsett Avenue (map) at about 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday when he was hit by a black SUV and “carried” by the vehicle for a short distance, LAPD Lt. David Ferry said.
The victim, who was identified by family members as Milton Marquez, of Valley Glen, was returning from a nearby park with his brother when they decided to cross the street.
The victim was on foot in the left-hand turn lane, basically in the middle of the roadway, where the vehicle traveling northbound on Whitsett Avenue struck him, an LAPD official said.
Milton Marquez was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
“He was with me, my little brother,” Danny Marquez said. “He’s an angel… I miss him you know”
Danny Marquez, who was also struck but not badly injured, said street racing was to blame for his brother’s death.
“The truck just came, they were racing and they took him… they dragged him all the way over there,” Danny Marquez said.
The driver then left the scene, Ferry said.
It was believed the vehicle had severe front, left-end damage as a result of the collision.
Police did not have any further description of the vehicle, or of the driver.
Anyone with information about the incident was urged to contact LAPD detectives at 877-527-3247.
Those who would prefer to provide tips anonymously could also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.