Broadway at 85th Street: a man crossing on an electric scooter was struck and dragged by one driver, then hit by a second, and both drove away
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (October 9, 2026): A 35-year-old man riding an electric scooter was killed on Friday night, October 9, when two drivers struck him on Broadway near 85th Street in the Florence area of South Los Angeles and neither one stopped, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, as reported by KTLA and City News Service. Police said the man was crossing Broadway in the crosswalk at about 9:45 p.m. when a vehicle heading north hit him.
According to police, the impact pushed the man under the first vehicle, and he was dragged about 700 feet before he came loose from its undercarriage. A second vehicle then struck him as he lay in the road and dragged him about 200 more feet, until he came loose near 83rd Street. Both drivers left without stopping to help him or identify themselves, police said. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
The LAPD South Traffic Division is investigating. Police have not released descriptions of either vehicle or driver, and no arrest has been announced. KTLA reported that a reward is available for information that leads to the identification and arrest of those responsible. Anyone with information can call Officer Cha or Detective Elizarraraz at 323-421-2577, or LAPD at 1-877-527-3247. Anonymous tips can go to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
The man’s name has not been released while his family is notified. Police have not said what kind of vehicles were involved, how fast they were traveling or whether the crosswalk signal was in his favor.
Liability for the Broadway Hit-and-Run in South Los Angeles
California Vehicle Code § 20001 requires any driver involved in a crash that injures or kills someone to stop, render aid and identify themselves. Vehicle Code § 21950 generally requires drivers to yield to people in a crosswalk, and Vehicle Code § 22350 prohibits speeds that are unsafe for conditions. Under Civil Code § 1714, each driver is responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care, and when two drivers contribute to a death, each can be responsible for the share they caused. Based on what police have released, the questions include:
- The crosswalk: Police said the man was crossing Broadway in the crosswalk when the first vehicle hit him. Whether that driver yielded, and what the signal showed, are central questions.
- Dragging for 700 feet: A driver who keeps going while a person is trapped under the vehicle raises serious questions about attention and conduct, which can matter for punitive damages under Civil Code § 3294.
- The second driver: A second vehicle struck the man after the first crash. Investigators will try to sort out which injuries each impact caused, which affects how responsibility is shared.
- Two drivers who fled: Neither driver stopped, according to police. Leaving the scene of a fatal crash is a felony and generally weighs heavily in any civil claim.
The man’s family may bring a wrongful death claim under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 against anyone found responsible. If the drivers are never identified, uninsured motorist coverage on a household auto policy may still provide a path to recovery, even for a person on a scooter. Any civil claim is separate from the criminal investigation.
Steps to Take After a South Los Angeles Hit-and-Run
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, people on foot, bicycles and scooters account for a growing share of traffic deaths in the United States. When drivers flee, video from businesses and passing cars is often what identifies them.
- Stay in contact with detectives: Ask the LAPD South Traffic Division for the report number and updates on the search for both vehicles.
- Share the request for tips: Families can share the LAPD’s request through official channels so that anyone with dashcam or doorbell video from Broadway calls detectives.
- Request Medical Examiner records: Ask the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner for the autopsy report once it is complete.
- Notify the insurer: California auto policies generally require a prompt police report to use uninsured motorist coverage after a hit-and-run. Confirm that the report is on file.
Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If the design, lighting or signals of the crosswalk maintained by the City of Los Angeles are examined, a government claim is generally due within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating the Broadway Hit-and-Run
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C., a personal injury and civil rights law firm in Irvine, California, extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the man who lost his life on Broadway. Important questions remain: Who was driving the two vehicles that struck him between 85th and 83rd streets? And will cameras along Broadway help detectives find them?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck or pedestrian accident anywhere in California, our personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Published on October 12, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on October 9, 2026.
