Woman in wheelchair fatally struck by hit-and-run driver in North Hollywood, LAPD says

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A woman in a wheelchair was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver and dragged about 100 feet early Tuesday morning in North Hollywood, authorities said.

The victim, a 73-year-old woman identified by neighbors as Patricia, was hit by a white late-model Ford transit van at the intersection of Burbank Boulevard and Bonner Avenue at about 3:30 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Traffic Division.

"She was in an electronic wheelchair, in the process of crossing from the south side to the north side of Bonner," said LAPD Lt. Bill Bustos.

The vehicle did not slow down, witnesses told investigators.

The woman was transported to a hospital in critical condition, the lieutenant said.

Police confirmed her death hours after the crash. She was not immediately identified.

A surveillance camera captured video connected to the incident, the LAPD said.

No description of the driver was available.

Bustos noted the city of Los Angeles has a reward program that solicits information leading to the arrest and conviction of hit-and-run drivers.

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department at (818) 644-8000.

City News Service contributed to this report.