PICO RIVERA >> A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the capture and conviction of the driver who fatally struck a 25-year-old Pico Rivera man as he crossed Beverly Boulevard last week.
Christopher Ventura died after he was struck by two vehicles, one of which fled the scene, late June 16 along Beverly Boulevard near Abbeywood Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s and coroner’s officials said. His residence was listed at the coroner’s office as transient.
Ventura is survived by two daughters, including one who is now orphaned following the death of her mother from a medical issue last year,friends and family members said.
Officials said he was struck by an eastbound vehicle, which continued driving, before being struck by a second westbound vehicle, sheriff’s Detective Jose Marquez said.
A description of the hit-and-run vehicle was not available, the detective said.
“It’s going to have front-end damage,” Marquez said. A shard of headlight glass left behind at the scene led investigators to suspect the vehicle that struck Ventura was likely of an older model, but did not allow officials to narrow down a year, make or model.
The driver of the second vehicle remained a the scene and cooperated with investigators, according to sheriff’s officials.
A banner advertising the $5,000 reward, offered by a family friend, has been placed at the collision scene, along with candles, pictures, balloons, hand-written messages and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The donor did not wish to be identified, saying he did not want to distract attention from the search for the hit-and-run vehicle.
In order to help the grieving family, a series of car washes are planned.
They are scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at Flo’s Coffee Shop and Restaurant, 4597 Peck Road in El Monte; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at McDonald’s, 15000 Whittier Boulevard in Whittier; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Arco, 113 E. Arrow Highway in Glendora; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Latin Skulls Tattoo Studio, 5036 Passons Boulevard in Pico Rivera; and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at EZ Auto Repair, 4625 Peck Road in Monte.
Anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run vehicle can contact Detective Marquez at the sheriff’s Pico Rivera Station at 562-949-2421. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.