PLAYA DEL REY, CA — A beachside community is in mourning after a horrific hit-and-run collision claimed the lives of a 1-year-old toddler and a 30-year-old man early Sunday morning.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) responded to the 6800 block of South Vista Del Mar at approximately 4:30 a.m. after reports of a violent two-vehicle crash. According to investigators, the driver of one of the vehicles involved immediately fled the scene on foot, running toward the beach to evade capture.
A Scene of Devastation
One of the vehicles was carrying three people: a 30-year-old man, a 27-year-old woman, and a 1-year-old child. The impact was so severe that the man was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.
The woman and the toddler were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Tragically, despite the best efforts of medical staff, the 1-year-old child ultimately succumbed to their injuries.
Local Father Describes Heroic Effort to Save Toddler
Cory Cooper, a local resident and father of two, was among the first on the scene after hearing the thunderous collision. Cooper described a “gut-wrenching” scene as he and others tried to keep the child alive until ambulances arrived.
“There was a man holding the child, and it didn’t look like the child was doing well, so we gave him CPR,” Cooper recalled. “I called 911 and was given guidance on how to perform CPR on the child until first responders arrived.”
Cooper described a second vehicle arriving shortly after, with a woman running toward the wreckage. “She was holding the child and trying to get him warm, saying, ‘He’s still warm. He’s still warm.’ We tried to give the baby CPR for as long as we could.”
Investigation and Search for Suspect
| Incident Detail | Case Information |
| Location | 6800 block of S. Vista Del Mar, Playa del Rey |
| Time | Sunday, Approx. 4:30 a.m. |
| Fatalities | 30-year-old Male; 1-year-old Child |
| Injuries | 27-year-old Female (Hospitalized) |
| Suspect Status | WANTED – Fled on foot toward the beach |
| Agency | LAPD West Traffic Division |
Public Plea for Information
The LAPD West Traffic Division is currently leading the investigation. Detectives are searching for any surveillance footage from nearby homes or businesses that may have captured the suspect’s flight toward the shoreline.
Under California law, a hit-and-run involving death or serious injury is a felony that carries significant prison time. Authorities are urging the driver to turn themselves in.
Playa del Rey and South Bay Residents: This su\spect fled on foot in the early morning hours near the beach. Did you see anyone acting suspiciously or running in the area around 4:30 a.m. or 5:00 a.m.?
If you have any information, please contact LAPD West Traffic at 213-473-0222. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
Leave a message of support for the family or share any community safety concerns in the comments below.
