Vigil held for father of 3 killed in South Los Angeles hit-run

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- More than 75 friends and family gathered for a vigil Friday night, remembering the father of three young children who was killed in a hit-and-run crash in South Los Angeles.

Michael Adkins leaves behind 9-year-old Joshua, 8-year-old Kayla and 5-year-old Mikey.

"It hurts more because he has 3 kids and we have no explanation," Adkins' brother Damon Thomas said.

On Tuesday, the driver of a white pick-up truck struck Adkins, who was on his motorcycle and on his way to work. The suspect fled the scene. Police say the vehicle was a truck because the front grill was ripped off and left behind, but they have little else to go on.

"It's very frustrating," Los Angeles Police Department Det. Sandra Smith said. "We searched for cameras, we have nothing on the driver, absolutely nothing."

All they know is someone hit Adkins and left him for dead.

"Checked his pulse, I pumped his chest, everything, it was just no help," witness Lashanea Ward said.

Adkins' mother Theresa Champaine Adkins said her son was a skilled mechanic who could fix anything and would help anyone.

"What regular people would charge, Michael would say give me $20, give me $40. Or, you don't really have to pay," she said.

"This person who did that really left us devastated and asking questions as to why?" Thomas said.

Because Adkins didn't have life insurance, a fundraiser has been set up to help with funeral expenses and support his three children. To donate, visit gofundme.com/m9oz3s.

A fundraiser will be held Sunday, Feb. 15 at the Farmer Boys restaurant in Gardena at 2 p.m.