Person Of Interest Named In Hit-And-Run That Killed Singer-Songwriter In Studio City
STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — Police have identified a person of interest in the hit-and-run death of a 65-year-old Studio City man.
Rob Meurer, a singer-songwriter who has written and performed several hit songs with Christopher Cross, was fatally struck Friday night on Moorpark near Coldwater Canyon.
He was taken to a hospital after the crash in critical condition and was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Saturday morning.
George Ronald Nicoletti was named a person of interest in the case. Police also released an image of the suspect car, described as a tan four-door 1998 Saturn Ion, California license plate 6HAY595.
The car was eastbound on Moorpark and struck Meurer as he crossed mid-block. The driver did not stop to render aid to the injured pedestrian, police said.
Meurer was a longtime collaborator and friend of Cross, whose hits include "Sailing" and "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)."
Cross posted a message on his website paying tribute to his friend, who he met in their hometown of San Antonio, Texas, where they were in rival bands.
"We had a immediate connection, and from that moment a very special friendship was born out of our shared love of music," he wrote. "As the years went on, we formed various cover bands, saw each other through rough patches and had lots of good times."
Cross said Meurer was integral to his 1980 album, "which, with all humility, had such a unique sound that it took the pop music world by storm. We made our mark."
In 1988, Cross wrote, "Rob and I began writing songs together which continued until the day he was taken from us. We had just finished our newest a song called `Truth.'
"To try and explain how I feel, or to try to imagine how his wife Beth and daughter Anne feel at this moment is impossible, but I felt I wanted to share with you the tremendous love and respect I had for this man," Cross said. "He was quite simply the smartest guy I ever knew, funny, kind, devoted to his family and friends, and talented beyond measure. Not just with the work he and I did, but his own solo work, and his musical theater projects. His love of the craft was as deep as anyone I've ever known."
Anyone with any information about the crash can call Valley Traffic Division Detective Daniel Menesez at (818) 644-8028 or Detective William Bustos at (818) 644-8021.
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