A Life Snuffed Out, a Driver Vanished: West L.A. Mourns as Police Hunt for Hit-and-Run Suspect

The darkness of a December evening, just before Christmas, settled over West Los Angeles. And then, a moment, a devastating, unfeeling moment, forever changed the landscape of a family, a community. It was around 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, December 21st, when 74-year-old Flora May Smith, simply trying to cross Wilshire Boulevard at South Barrington Avenue, was struck down. The vehicle, police say, kept going. Just like that.

Think about it. A person, an elderly woman, walking, perhaps heading home, perhaps out for an early dinner — her life, suddenly, tragically, ended. And the driver? They simply vanished, leaving Flora May, and an indelible scar, on the pavement.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division, tirelessly, is now spearheading an urgent appeal. They are searching for a specific vehicle: a white Mercedes-Benz, either a C300 or C350 model, from the years 2015 to 2018. It would, in truth, almost certainly have sustained damage to its front end from the impact. A tell-tale sign, you could say, of a horrific act.

Detectives have poured over surveillance footage, piecing together the scant details. The car was last seen heading west on Wilshire Boulevard, and for all intents and purposes, disappeared into the urban sprawl. But a community doesn’t forget. And the police, well, they don't give up.

Councilwoman Traci Park, understanding the gravity of such a callous act, has championed a reward. We’re talking up to $50,000 for anyone providing information that leads to the identification, apprehension, and conviction of the person behind the wheel that night. It’s a substantial sum, yes, but it pales in comparison to the value of a human life, doesn’t it?

If you were there, if you saw something, anything – even what you might think is a tiny detail – it could be the missing piece. The authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Reach out to Detective Wade or Officer Thigpen at the Valley Traffic Division: 818-644-8033. Or, if you’d rather remain anonymous, there’s always Crime Stoppers, reachable at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or through their website, lacrimestoppers.org. This isn't just about an accident; it's about accountability. It’s about Flora May Smith. And, honestly, it's about upholding the very fabric of human decency in our shared streets.