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Suspected Hit-And-Run Driver Arrested In Fatal Downtown LA Crash

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – A driver has been arrested in a deadly hit-and-run that happened earlier this month near downtown Los Angeles.

59-year-old Maria Perez of Bell Gardens is accused of hitting and killing 51-year-old Byern Smith around 2 a.m. on May 7 as he was walking in the 1600 block of East Seventh Street, police said.

The 2005 Scion xB was seen fleeing the scene and Smith was pronounced dead.

The vehicle was spotted on Sunday and police took Perez into custody.

Perez was booked on felony hit-and-run, a second unspecified felony charge and two outstanding misdemeanor warrants, according to the LAPD.

She is being held on $100,000 bail, according to jail records.

Police said Perez is due in court Monday regarding the two felony warrants.

A $25,000 reward had been offered for information leading to the driver's arrest.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

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