Mark Cooper Killed in South Los Angeles Hit-and-Run Accident
The fatal collision occurred on Western Avenue at 56th Street
Mark Cooper, 23, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Western Avenue at 56th Street in South Los Angeles on Aug. 16, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
A northbound light-colored sedan struck two people in the road at approximately 10:55 p.m. before the driver fled the scene, continuing north without stopping to render aid. Paramedics transported both victims to a local medical facility. One person suffered severe injuries and remains hospitalized. The second victim, Cooper, died from his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Detectives with the South Traffic Division are searching for the suspect vehicle.
The crash adds to a rising toll across the state.
AAA data shows hit-and-run deaths hit a record high in 2022 and made up a record 7% of all traffic fatalities in 2023, while accounting for about 10% of all traffic injuries nationwide.
Why do hit-and-run pedestrian accidents happen on Western Avenue?
The corner of Western Avenue and 56th Street presents significant risks for pedestrians navigating nighttime traffic.
In pedestrian accidents such as this, safety analysts point to infrastructure gaps and poor lighting as recurring factors that exacerbate the dangers of reckless driving.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Distracted driving remains one of the most common threads through fatal pedestrian collisions, since glancing at a phone for two seconds can mean missing a person stepping off a curb. Split second inattention often proves deadly for someone walking near traffic."
"A legal team requests phone records and app data to establish distraction as a cause behind tragic roadway losses," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How do investigators track fleeing drivers in South Los Angeles?
While the suspect remains at large, detectives typically rely on surveillance footage, debris left at the scene, and witness statements to identify the light-colored sedan.
California Office of Traffic Safety data show hit-and-run crashes account for about 10% to 11% of the state’s fatal traffic crashes in recent years, higher than the national average of roughly 7%.
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.
"When a driver flees a fatal crash, surviving relatives often worry they will have no legal recourse or way to cover sudden final expenses," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal counsel aids affected families by carefully examining their existing insurance policies for uninsured motorist coverage, providing clear direction and financial security during an otherwise overwhelming period."