David Granados was about to graduate high school. He was struck by an SUV Sunday at the intersection of Oxnard Street and Bellaire Avenue. Granados was rushed to a local hospital, but he was taken off life support on Tuesday.
The driver of the gray or black older model Mercedes SUV that hit him never stopped and never looked back.
"(Granados) looks both ways, and once he gets halfway out of the sidewalk, this SUV ... comes out of nowhere, runs the red light going 50-60 mph, hits him, doesn't even hesitate to touch the brakes," said witness Robert Eckerson.
Ted Rogers, author of "Biking in LA," says about 25 to 30 percent of all fatal accidents involving bicyclists are hit-and-runs.
Rogers blogs about cycling in Southern California. He and others in the community have been pushing to bring in more bike lanes and to increase penalties for hit-and-runs.
"Generally, people flee the scene because they've been drinking, or else they don't have a license and insurance. Those are the two main reasons," Rogers said. "It's not an excuse to let someone die."
The family is asking the person who cut short Granados' life to come forward.
"No matter what, if he goes to jail or whatever, he can't bring him back. He's gone," said the victim's father David Granados, adding that he would like an apology from the driver. "Not just to us, to all the friends, family. That's not too much to ask, right?"
The only suspect description was an older man. Anyone with information is urged to call the LAPD Valley Traffic Division at (818) 644-8063.
