Police search for hit-and-run driver who severely injured 71-year-old man in Encino

Authorities are searching for the hit-and-run driver who severely injured a 71-year-old pedestrian in Encino over the weekend. 

It happened on Saturday at around 9 p.m., when a white car driving eastbound on Ventura Boulevard at a high rate of speed slammed into a car that was exiting a driveway, heading northbound. The collision caused the car to veer and hit a pedestrian who was crossing the street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. 

The unidentified pedestrian was thrown into the road, landing on the westbound side of Ventura Boulevard. While the car pulling out of the driveway remained at the scene, the driver of the white car fled the area, heading eastbound still. 

The man was rushed to a nearby hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department with serious injuries, police said. 

As they continue their search for the driver, police say that the suspect's car was a four-door Nissan Altima that is now missing a driver-side door mirror and with considerable damage to the front right headlamp, as well as possible damage to the front right and rear passenger doors. 

Anyone who knows more about the incident is urged to contact LAPD detectives at (818) 644-8025. 

A standing reward of up to $50,000 is offered to anyone who has information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the suspect from the city of Los Angeles.