A $50,000 reward was announced Friday for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the hit-and-run driver who ran down and fatally injured a 23-year-old woman in November in downtown Los Angeles.
Jacqueline Hernandez was crossing 12th Street near Paloma Street when she was struck at 6:05 p.m. on Nov. 7, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead nine days later, eight days before her 24th birthday, according to coroner's records.
LAPD Detective Jose De Leon told reporters at a news conference at police headquarters that Hernandez was running across the street after having gone on a job interview. Police said it appears she may have slipped or tripped just before someone struck her with the car.
According to security video reviewed by police, the suspect stopped and got out of the car, but then quickly jumped back in the car and drove away, police said.
The hit-and-run vehicle was described as a silver or black 2015-2016 BMW 428i, and the suspect was described as a man about 40 years old and about 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall. No license number was available for the car.
Also at the news conference were Hernandez' family and friends, who wore T-shirts with her image on them.
"She was my girlfriend," Junior Gonzalez said. "I don't know what else to say. ... She was a loving person."
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Her boyfriend said they were going to start college together next month.
City Councilman Jose Huizar urged community members to come forward with information to help find the suspect -- and to help the family find justice.
"Hopefully, this $50,000 reward will go a long way to not only capturing the individual who committed this crime, but also (to) help bring some closure to the family," Huizar said.
Anyone with information to help solve the case was urged to call the LAPD Central Traffic Division at 213-833-3746 or 213-486-0751.
