Florence hit-and-run crash: Child dead, woman hospitalized

FLORENCE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Two people, including a 4-year-old boy, were hospitalized in a hit-and-run crash in Florence Thursday evening. The boy was later pronounced dead.

A red vehicle struck the boy and a 23-year-old woman pushing a stroller in the intersection of Holmes Avenue and Firestone Boulevard just after 7 p.m.

The incident occurred after the driver allegedly tried to wedge his car between two vehicles who were stopped at a red light.

Geronimo Saca was in one of the vehicles hit by the hit-and-run driver. He says he was in shock after the driver hit the baby.

"He was rolling with the stroller," Saca said.

Two ambulances were summoned. The boy was rushed by a police escort to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, where he later died. The woman was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

A female passenger and a male driver fled the scene on foot. Good Samaritans caught the female and held her until authorities arrived.

The female, described as a person of interest, was detained by the CHP and was cooperating with investigators.

"She is in custody, we've questioned her, and we're trying to have her assist us with locating the suspect," CHP Lt. Doug Young said.

The vehicle was abandoned in the street, its bumper separated and lying nearby.

The outstanding suspect was described as a 23-year-old Hispanic male with long hair, a mustache, nose and ear piercings and tattoos on his left arm.

Anyone with information was urged to contact the CHP.

CORRECTION: Eyewitness News initially reported the child was 2 years old. CHP later identified the victim as a 4-year-old boy.