Judge's Son Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver in Pacific Palisades

David Pregerson died after being hit last Friday while crossing a street in Pacific Palisades

Police on Thursday sought the public’s help to find the hit-and-run driver who killed the son of a judge as family members planned the 23-year-old’s funeral.

A driver in an unknown vehicle hit David Pregerson, 23, on Friday about 3 a.m., at Chautauqua Boulevard and Borgos Place in Pacific Palisades, police said. The vehicle was driving south on Chautauqua and hit Pregerson who was in the roadway, police said.

He had been walking home from a bar, friends said.

Read: Nurses, Family Bond Online as Iranian Woman Dies in U.S.

The driver of the car continued to drive south on Chautauqua and did not stop, authorities said.

Pregerson died at a hospital on New Year’s Eve.

Read: New Laws Coming to California in 2014

Pregerson’s grandfather, Harry, was a 9th Circuit Court judge. His father, Dean, was a U.S. District Court judge, said Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Friends remembered him as a fun, but dedicated man who aspired to be a director.

"He was going to be the next Steven Spielberg," said Gregory Martin.

Daniel Brooks was a college roommate with Pregerson, who recently graduated from UCLA. He remembers his friend loved hot sauce.

"He could cook," Brooks said. "He would make his own hot sauce and bring it with him to the restaurant."

A memorial service was planned for Friday at 1 p.m. at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 3663 Wilshire Blvd.

Anyone who may have information about the collision is asked to contact West Traffic Detectives at (213) 473-0234. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

Contact Us