South LA Community Mourns Teen Hit-and-Run Victim

The student athlete dreamed of a career in sports medicine

A community is grieving a popular 18-year-old who was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver while crossing a street in South Los Angeles, while police seek the driver of a newer Mercedes that hit the teen.

Markeise Parish, 18, died at a local hospital after the crash near the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and 78th Place (map) on Saturday. The involved driver drove off without stopping to render aid, abandoning the Mercedes nearby.

Police found the car, but not the driver.

"I saw the callousness he displayed speeding off when the child was lying in the street, and I'll never forget it," said Kevin Chambers, a witness and neighbor.

Parish was described as a kind-hearted and churchgoing student who played basketball, football and soccer, and dreamed of a career in sports medicine.

"He was a nice kid," said friend Evan Council. "He wasn't mean to nobody, he didn't do nothing to anybody. He's just my friend. I'm going to miss him."

On Tuesday, posters and dozens of candles marked the sidewalk near where Parish was hit.

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Anyone with information about this crime is urged to call LAPD South Traffic Detectives Mendoza or Yount at 323-421-2500 or 323-421-2540.


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