A Mini Cooper that struck a bicycle head on in Silver Lake, seriously injuring the rider, was owned by a female employee of the Los Angeles Unified School District, police said Thursday.
The woman has refused to cooperate with police and instead hired an attorney, said LAPD Detective Moses Castillo.
"She has not been arrested and she refuses to talk to us," Castillo said. "We're hoping a witness comes forward and can put her behind the wheel."
The victim, a homeless man, was struck head-on by what's believed to be a red early model Mini Cooper with a red-and-white roof about 11:45 p.m. Friday in the 3000 block of Berkeley Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
"The victim sustained severe injuries and was admitted to a local hospital where he is in stable condition,'' according to a police statement.
The man suffered a broken leg, broken arm and fractured spine, police said.
The damaged vehicle was towed to the Route 66 Collision Center at 6820 San Fernando Road in Glendale, prompting a call to authorities by the owner of the shop, who had seen reports about the crash on television, police said.
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The owner of the car was refusing to cooperate with investigators, according to Central Traffic Division Detective Juan Campos.
A Twitter post from the Central Traffic Division directed at the school district asked anyone with information about who was driving the Mini Cooper to come forward.
"We believe there is someone who has personal knowledge about who was behind the wheel at the time of the collision,'' LAPD Detective Moses Castillo said. "Do the right thing and reach out to us. We have the vehicle in our custody, now we need the driver. We will listen to anyone who saw the driver just prior or after.''
Anyone with information about the collision, the car or the driver was urged to contact Campos at 213-833-3713 or 31480@lapd.online. Tipsters can also contact the Central Traffic Division watch commander at 213-833-3746.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or lacrimestoppers.org.
