A 65-year-old Chicago man who traveled to Los Angeles to watch his favorite team play the Dodgers was killed in a hit-and-run collision, prompting a citywide search for the driver.
Jose Melesio was visiting relatives and had planned to attend the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers series when he was struck while walking near the intersection of South Figueroa Street and 75th Street.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Melesio was hit at approximately 3:10 a.m. April 27, by a vehicle traveling northbound at a high rate of speed. The driver fled the scene without stopping to help.
The Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced Melesio dead at the scene.
On Thursday, detectives announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person responsible.
Investigators have identified the suspect vehicle as a small, four-door sedan, likely silver, gray or white, which appears to have a sunroof. Police have obtained a photo of the vehicle but have not yet identified the driver.
“It looks like it could be white, gray, light gray, silver in color, but not too much of that,” LAPD Detective Ryan Moreno said, as reported by ABC7 Los Angeles. “We haven’t gotten yet, on video, a shot of the driver yet, so we don’t know nothing yet about the suspect.”
Melesio’s family has created a GoFundMe page to help transport his body to Chicago for funeral services, which has raised nearly $9,600. Family members described Melesio as a centerpiece of their gatherings and a brother, uncle, cousin and friend to many.
“Having grown up in the suburbs of Chicago, he built lifelong friendships and was always present at family gatherings, bringing warmth and joy to those around him,” the family wrote. “We are currently working to bring Jose back to Chicago for his funeral services. We remain in contact with LAPD detectives and the coroner’s office regarding the timing of his transfer as their investigation proceeds.”
Melesio’s cousin, Oscar Flores, made an emotional appeal for the driver to surrender to authorities.
“Joey was such a great, loving man to all his nephews and nieces and to his cousins. We are pleading, please, por favor,” he said.
Police are asking auto body shops to contact investigators if they have recently serviced a small four-door sedan with front-end damage.
