South Park East, California (April 1, 2026) — An 88-year-old man was killed Wednesday evening after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while walking in a marked crosswalk in South Park East, according to authorities.
Officials identified the deceased as Onesimo Maldonado Flores.
The fatal collision was reported at 7:35 p.m. in the area of Avalon Boulevard and 49th Street, east of the Harbor (110) Freeway.
Incident Details: According to the Los Angeles Police Department, a possibly black sedan was traveling northbound on Avalon Boulevard when it struck Maldonado as he walked in a marked crosswalk on the north side of East 49th Street. Police said the driver did not stop after the crash. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics took Maldonado to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Public reporting has not identified the driver or provided additional details about why the vehicle entered the crosswalk area when Maldonado was present. At this stage, the key known facts are that the victim was lawfully in a marked crosswalk and that the driver fled the scene instead of remaining to help or provide information.
Investigation: In a crash like this, investigators will likely focus first on locating the hit-and-run vehicle and identifying the driver. That effort may include reviewing nearby surveillance footage, gathering witness statements, and examining debris or other physical evidence left at the scene. Because the vehicle was only described as a possibly black sedan, early evidence collection may be especially important.
Investigators will also likely examine visibility, lighting, speed, and the driver’s opportunity to see Maldonado in the crosswalk before impact. In a marked-crosswalk collision, right-of-way is often a central issue. When the pedestrian is already in the crosswalk, and the driver leaves the scene, those facts can become especially important in both the criminal investigation and any later civil case. This is the kind of collision that calls for a full accounting of what happened and why.
Legal Considerations: Fatal hit-and-run crashes involving a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk often raise serious civil liability issues. In this case, the motorist failed to stop after the collision. A driver’s decision to flee can also be strong evidence of the seriousness of the underlying conduct. Even when public reporting is brief, a civil investigation can help uncover the full story and preserve evidence before it disappears.
If the driver is identified, the evidence could strengthen a wrongful death claim. Depending on the investigation’s outcome, Onesimo’s family might have a valid chance to pursue such a claim, which could provide compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and the loss of love and care.
My heartfelt sympathies are with the loved ones and family of Onesimo Maldonado Flores during this difficult time.
Source: MyNewsLA