Victim Dragged 100 Feet, Body Left Outside Bar in Fatal Boyle Heights Hit-And-Run Crash

A 24-year-old man, about to turn 25 next month, was killed in a Boyle Heights hit-and-run crash Monday morning after being dragged more than 100 feet, investigators said.

The driver stopped behind a bar after the crash, then fled, investigators said.

A witness who did not wish to be identified said she saw the man after the crash. She said his whole body looked "broken," and his back was "twisted like a mop."

The crash happened at Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and Soto Street just after midnight. Investigators were working to determine the make of the vehicle and other details.

The victim, identified by family as True Cowan, was dragged more than 100 feet into a driveway behind a bar and later died at a hospital, police said. 

His stepmother described him as a National Guard reservist who moved to LA two years ago to finish college at California State University Dominguez Hills. His stepmother said he was taking a walk when he was struck and killed.

A detailed description of the vehicle was not available. No witnesses were located Monday morning.

"There is most likely damage to the left side of this vehicle, a considerable amount of blood on the undercarriage part, and quite possibly leaking some kind of engine coolant," said LAPD Detective Feliz Padilla.

Streets closed for the investigation were reopened Monday morning. 

Cowan's stepmother said the family is trying raise funds to send Cowan back to Indiana where he was originally from so that he could be buried alongside his father, who died last week.

The family's GoFundMe account can be found here. 

Lolita Lopez contributed to this report.