Restaurant worker hit while riding moped home from work in DTLA; police searching for suspect

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A man is begging for the public's help in finding the suspect responsible for hitting him with his car while he was riding his moped in downtown Los Angeles.

According to 30-year-old Miguel Velazquez, he was riding his blue moped home last week after finishing his shift at a downtown restaurant when he stopped at the intersection of Flower and 3rd streets.

He said the driver of a blue Mini Cooper came down the street and hit him.

"Just as I was mid-turn, he slammed into me, and I was already in the air at that point," said Velazquez, who spoke with Eyewitness News about the incident on Tuesday. "I hit my wrist, breaking that when I fractured the other and my tailbone was badly bruised."

He said said three good Samaritans stepped in to help get him to the curb safely and filmed the suspect driving off in the recognizable Mini Cooper.

Police released surveillance video of the incident in hopes of finding the driver, who ended up stalled at a light.

"That gave me a chance to look up and make eye contact with the individual," said Velasquez. "He did have a look of concern, mainly for himself, not for me in any way."

Velazquez wasn't seriously injured and only suffered a few broken bones and bruising. He's expected to make a full recovery.

He said he recently just moved to L.A. from Chicago.

"When he hit, it really did slow things down in that moment," said the 30-year-old. "I'm thinking, 'How could this happen?'"

Velasquez said he's eternally grateful to the three good Samaritans who rushed to his aid. Grateful to be alive, Velasquez said he has no doubt that the suspect knows he hit him. He's just hoping he'll do the right thing and turn himself in.

"He made eye contact with me and decided that I wasn't good enough to stop and help," said Velasquez. "Honestly, I don't want any negative outcome, but I want him to take accountability for what he did to me."

Police are offering a $25,000 reward for any information.

They said the suspect's Mini Cooper has a white top and a large, full size sunroof.

Police posted a photo what the car looks like on Twitter. They said the suspect's vehicle may have some visible damage to its front end.

Police said the driver is possibly a Hispanic or Indian man in his 40s with black hair.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been set up for Velasquez. If you'd like to donate, click here.