When a news reporter covered a story about a tragic car accident at a notoriously dangerous South L.A. intersection, he was not expecting a demonstration would be unfolding behind him in real-time.
Gene Kang of local news station KTLA was reporting live at the corner of 84th and Hoover–the site of a fatal hit and run that happened on February 26.
"You see Hoover Street here, officials say, it's one of the most dangerous streets in all of Los Angeles," reported Kang.
And as if on cue, two Sedans collided behind him immediately after the reporter introduced the segment.
You can watch the incident caught during the live broadcast, here.
Crazy crash! I was covering a fatal hit & run story yesterday. I was pointing out one of the most dangerous streets in #LosAngeles (Hoover & 84th Street) - then this happened! We called 911, helped the victims and @LAPDHQ has this video and the license plate. Stay safe! @KTLApic.twitter.com/syzh09UnSK— Gene Kang (@Gene Kang) 1647022504
"Crazy crash!" tweeted Kang.
"I was covering a fatal hit & run story yesterday. I was pointing out one of the most dangerous streets in #LosAngeles (Hoover & 84th Street) - then this happened!"
"We called 911, helped the victims and @LAPDHQ has this video and the license plate. Stay safe! @KTLA"
Timing is everything!— Rex Chapman\ud83c\udfc7\ud83c\udffc (@Rex Chapman\ud83c\udfc7\ud83c\udffc) 1647012822
So this wasn't a feature film scene?pic.twitter.com/IcUrZy8QtC— Roland J\u00f4intz (@Roland J\u00f4intz) 1647042138
Lol I mean if you\u2019re going to Hit-And-Run, maybe make sure there\u2019s no news crew covering it— \u26be\ufe0fWhen Does Baseball Start?\u26be\ufe0f (@\u26be\ufe0fWhen Does Baseball Start?\u26be\ufe0f) 1647027272
Needs a roundabout for safety— queenbee\ud83d\udc1d\ud83c\udf31 (@queenbee\ud83d\udc1d\ud83c\udf31) 1647025253
pic.twitter.com/bEbSuXjckm— \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Patrick \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Patrick \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1647052899
The news crew continued filming as the left-turning vehicle that hit the other oncoming car continued to speed away.
I really think U & your crew need to be even further away from the curb / street area when doing reports re. dangerous intersections. You don't want to be in harm's way. When ppl don't care & intentionally leave the scene they will 'mow down' anyone & anything in their way.— Lisa (@Lisa) 1647099650
According to KTLA, it is unknown if the driver eventually stopped.
"Our security guard Walter Mann yelled 'get back' and we moved as the car came racing towards us," recalled Kang. "It veered away at the last second and T-boned the car."
The crew called 911, and responding officers at the scene told Kang the hit-and-run driver was likely a suspect involved in a previous crime and was trying to flee.
If they took off most likely it's a stolen car so even having the plates won't do much unfortunately...looks like he ran the stop sign to make that left— Santiago Mu\u00f1ez (@Santiago Mu\u00f1ez) 1647025858
Officers took a photo of the vehicle's license that fell off as a result of the impact.
Looks like he lost his license plate going over the curb.pic.twitter.com/L01h2ztov7— Christopher Green (@Christopher Green) 1647019927
Great work by camera person getting that vehicle on film for PD. Another hit n run Grrrrr— Marilyn Akahoshi (@Marilyn Akahoshi) 1646980288
The news station said the location has seen an increase of double the number of collisions since the onset of the pandemic.
The incident Kang was reporting in the video involved a pedestrian who was fatally struck while he and his family were trying to cross the street around 7:15 p.m. on February 26.
The family was being guided by a crossing guard who wore a bright yellow vest. There were also yellow lights flashing to signal drivers to yield to pedestrians.
Fender bender Hit & Run could so quickly escalate in life changing or life ending tragedy. \nTHIS IS WHAT MAKES THIS CRASH EVEN SCARIER!!pic.twitter.com/576EHB6gq7— Hilda (she/her) (@Hilda (she/her)) 1647018318
The victim, a 42-year-old father, got his wife and their 2-year-old son out of the way as an "impatient" driver drove into the opposite lane to bypass cars that had been stopped for them.
The father was struck by the vehicle and died later at a hospital.
The suspect has not been caught. A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered to community members who provide information leading to the driver's identification, arrest, and conviction.
