Search Underway For Hit-And-Run Driver Who Killed A Man In Palms While Being Tailed By Police

PALMS (CBSLA.com) — Police searched Monday for a suspected car thief who struck and killed a man in Palms while being followed by police, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

A four-door maroon 2001 Buick LeSabre slammed into the victim on Venice Boulevard between Hughes Avenue and Dunn Drive about 8:45 p.m. Sunday, said Officer Ed Griffin of the LAPD West Traffic Division.

“When I came right on the corner, I saw a police car in the middle of the street. And then I saw the body laying over there,” said a neighbor.

Investigators said police officers in an unmarked car were tailing the stolen Buick with two people inside when it took off at high speed and hit the victim.

The Buick has a California license plate of 7KWC773.  The car sustained front-end damage and possibly has a bike rack on the front, police said.

A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the driver.

The victim’s name has not been released.