27-year-old woman identified by family members as Leyda Medina, killed in hit-and-run crash in North Hollywood

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A 27-year-old woman was killed in a hit-and-run accident in North Hollywood. Police are asking the public for help in finding the driver.

It happened on Friday around 7 p.m. at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Beck Avenue.

According to police, the woman – identified by family members as Leyda Medina – was crossing a marked crosswalk when she was struck by a Toyota Corolla traveling westbound on Victory Boulevard. She was taken to the hospital, where she later died.

“I saw the aftermath,” Brenda Galdamez said. “It's really intense. It's something you don't know until you see it. It's heartbreaking, and not knowing who it was until they confirmed it was even more horrific.”

The Corolla was later found abandoned on the curb of Victory Boulevard, east of Troost Avenue. Police did not have a detailed description of the suspect, saying only that he was a man in his 50s “who fled the scene on foot without identifying himself or rendering aid as required by law.”

“Leyda was not only a loving wife, but also a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt and friend,” the Medina family said in a statement. “She loved all things Halloween, running and doing hair and makeup. As her family grieves, they are asking the community for help in identifying the driver responsible for this senseless act. If anyone witnessed the incident, please come forward.”

Anyone with information about the accident or the suspect is asked to call the LAPD at 818-644-8028 or 877-527-3247. Anonymous tips can be made to LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or at www.lacrimestoppers.org.

A GoFundMe campaign has now been launched to help Medina's family with medical and funeral expenses.

“I really hope they fight whoever did this because it's not fair. It really isn't,” Galdamez said.