Long Beach police are asking for the public’s help in locating a hit-and-run suspect who left a 23-year-old man critically injured last month.
The suspect was identified as Victor Garcia or Gracia, possibly from the Cudahy or South Gate area and about 25 to 35 years old. He is 5 feet, 7 inches or 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighs about 130 pounds and has black hair.
Authorities said the suspect was driving a dark colored SUV west on Anaheim Street on August 30 at 1:40PM when he hit the north curb and lost control, striking the victim identified as Long Beach resident Luis Enrique Tejeda.
The victim was riding his skateboard west on Anaheim and crossing Oregon Avenue in the crosswalk at the time he was struck, officials stated in a release.
Tejada remains hospitalized in critical condition.
“According to witness statements, the vehicle immediately fled the scene after the collision, heading westbound on Anaheim Street,” according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD). “One witness followed the SUV and was able to obtain a license plate number.”
The vehicle, a 2004 black Chevy Tahoe, was found a few blocks from the crash scene shortly thereafter and impounded, according to officials who also discovered that the vehicle had been recently purchased.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts is urged to contact L.B.P.D. Collision Investigation Detective Sirilo Garcia at (562) 570-7132. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
Above, left photo courtesy of LBPD.