Jose Melesio Killed in Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Accident
LAPD offers $50,000 reward for information on silver sedan that fled the scene
Pedestrian death remain a critical issue in California, where 1,106 people were killed in 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Jose Melesio, 65, of Chicago, was killed in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident on Figueroa Street near 75th Street in Los Angeles on April 28, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Detectives from the LAPD South Traffic Division are searching for a silver four-door sedan. A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the driver's arrest and conviction.
The northbound vehicle struck the man as he walked along the road. The driver failed to stop and render aid, continuing north away from the scene.
Paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded. They pronounced Melesio dead at the location.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the LAPD South Traffic Division.
How common are hit-and-run pedestrian accidents in Los Angeles?
Figueroa Street is a major arterial road in South Los Angeles where pedestrian safety remains a persistent challenge. Statewide, California saw a 31.5% decrease in pedestrian deaths from 2024 to 2025, yet urban corridors continue to see high rates of hit-and-run collisions.
Families of victims like Melesio are often left searching for answers while police work to identify the fleeing driver. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "In most instances, pedestrians possess the right of way when crossing an intersection or a street, regardless of whether they are in a marked crosswalk."
Why did the silver sedan flee the scene on Figueroa Street?
National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal, noted that "Road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must thoroughly be examined. These procedures are necessary for helping those who have lost a loved one receive the justice that they deserve."
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage along the northbound lanes to determine why the driver failed to stop. Leaving the scene of a fatal collision is a felony under California law, and authorities are urging witnesses to come forward to claim the $50,000 reward.
California wrongful death statute
Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. California applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.