On Sunday, July 20, 2025, at approximately 9:44 p.m., a tragic hit-and-run collision claimed the life of a 35-year-old man at the intersection of Polk St. and De Garmo Ave. in Sylmar, Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Traffic Division is investigating the incident, which involved a black pickup truck with silver rims that fled the scene after striking the pedestrian.
According to witnesses, the suspect vehicle was speeding eastbound on Polk St. prior to the collision. The impact was severe, and the victim, who was not in a crosswalk, was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) personnel. Residents reported hearing the crash, with some noting that the sound was captured on a nearby home’s security camera. The victim, described as a disabled individual by a neighbor, was believed to have been a local resident, though his identity has not been officially released pending notification of next of kin.
The LAPD has closed Polk St. in both directions to conduct a thorough investigation. No detailed description of the driver is available at this time, but the vehicle is described as a black pickup truck with silver rims. The city of Los Angeles offers a standing reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification and conviction of those responsible for fatal hit-and-run incidents. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the LAPD Valley Traffic Division at (818) 644-8036, the 24-hour LAPD line at (877) 527-3247, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (800) 222-TIPS.
This tragic event has heightened concerns among Sylmar residents about speeding in the neighborhood, with some calling for increased traffic enforcement to prevent future incidents. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to locate the suspect vehicle and driver.
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