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Two Pedestrians Die in Unrelated Hit & Runs on Sunday near USC Campus & Highland Park

Photo by VeryBadLady via Flickr
Sunday morning saw the death of one USC student who died in a hit and run crash as she crossed Hoover around 3 a.m. 18 year-old Adrianna Bachan and Marcus Garfinkle, 19, were were walking southbound on Jefferson Boulevard at Hoover Street. Both were in a marked crosswalk when they were hit by a black, 1999-2002 Honda Accord or Toyota Corolla, travelling eastbound on Jefferson Boulevard. "According to a witness, the driver stopped the vehicle and a passenger got out of the vehicle to remove [Garfinkle] from the hood onto the ground," the LAPD said in a statement. "The passenger was described as a male Hispanic. The passenger got back into the suspect car and the driver drove eastbound on Jefferson Boulevard." Bachan died at the hospital and Garfinkle is listed in stable condition.
Later Sunday evening, a 56-year-old man was hit by a silver Volkswagen Jetta while in a marked crosswalk on Figueroa Street at Avenue 51 in Highland Park. The man, identified as Agapito Gaspar Nicolas, later died at the hospital.
In both cases, the police are seeking help in identifying the suspects. Information on who to contact for each case is below.
Jefferson Boulevard at Hoover Street
Los Angeles Police Department South Traffic Division detectives are handling the investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Detectives Render at (323) 290-6063. During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.” Tipsters may remain anonymous.
Figueroa Street at Avenue 51
Los Angeles Police Department Central Traffic Division detectives are handling the investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Michael Kaden at (213) 972-1825. During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.” Tipsters may remain anonymous.
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