4-Year-Old Girl Killed By Hit-And-Run Driver In Glendale
GLENDALE (CBSLA.com) — A 4-year-old girl was killed by a hit-and-run driver Friday evening in Glendale.
The incident occurred shortly before 5 p.m. near the corner of Wilson Avenue and Olive Street, according to the Glendale Police Department.
The victim was taken to Glendale Adventist Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The little girl, now identified as Violeta Katchatorian, was in her family's front yard -- with her parents -- when she ran out into the street and between two parked cars.
CBS2's Brittney Hopper spoke to devastated friends of the family and an eyewitness to the tragic aftermath.
"This is a child that had hopes and dreams that one day she could be something," said the family friend. "And now she's no longer with us. We need you guys, we need you guys, everyone out there to do whatever it takes to get the guy to come forward."
While Hopper interviewed the friend just outside the family home, the girl's mother could be heard inside the home sobbing audibly and crying out.
"I mean what mother wouldn't be devastated at this point," said the friend, "I mean, it is what it is guys and the cries [you are hearing] speaks for itself."
As police were investigating the little girl's shoe was still visible on street where she was hit.
Dave Lopez heard a loud bang then immediately ran outside after people were screaming for help.
"Seeing kids like that, it gets you right to your heart," Lopez said, " I wish I could have done more."
Glendale police say Katchatorian was hit by the vehicle and thrown into the back of another car -- the impact smashed out that vehicle's rear window.
Police told Hopper that the driver clearly knows that they struck something. They also said, that if the driver -- he or she -- had stopped they likely wouldn't have been charged with anything as the girl ran into the street.
The vehicle involved was only described as white or beige with major damage to the front end.
If you have any information you're asked to call Glendale Police.
