New Details Emerge in the Hit‑And‑Run That Took Grandmother Tate Song’s Life

Long Beach officers are once again reaching out to the public, this time with a fresh photograph of a silver Ford Mustang they say was involved in a tragic hit‑and‑run on the night of September 5. The car, described as having a black convertible top, black stripes and black rims, vanished after striking a pedestrian near the intersection of Long Beach Boulevard and East 23rd Street.

The victim, identified as 73‑year‑old Tate Song of Long Beach, was found lying on Metro light‑rail tracks shortly after the crash. While early reports hinted that a train might have hit her, investigators now say the train never actually made contact; she succumbed to injuries from the vehicle impact before any train could be involved.

According to the police report, the Mustang was traveling east on Willow Street, then turned south onto Long Beach Boulevard just moments before the collision. After the impact, the driver fled the scene, heading south on Pasadena Avenue toward 20th Street. No arrests have been made, and authorities are still piecing together whether speed, distraction, or impairment played a role.

Song’s daughter, Sonya Rose, set up a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs, noting that the loss has hit the family “spiritually, emotionally, financially, and physically.” The campaign has gathered nearly $8,000 of its $9,000 goal, reflecting the community’s support.

If you happened to see the Mustang, its driver, or anything else that night, the Long Beach Police Collision Investigation Detective Edwin Paredes asks you to call 562‑570‑5130. Anonymous tips are also welcomed by LA Crime Stoppers at 800‑222‑8477 or online at LACrimeStoppers.org.

As the investigation continues, police hope that a single lead—perhaps a blurry license plate, a passing witness, or even a social‑media post—could finally bring the driver to justice and give Song’s family some measure of closure.