Police Seek Hit-And-Run Driver Who Struck Girl and Grandmother
INGLEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Inglewood police are asking for the public's help in finding a hit-and-run driver who injured an 8-year-old girl and left her grandmother in a coma.
According to Inglewood police, Emonie Baham, 8, and her grandmother, Mae Baham, 55, were in a marked crosswalk at the intersection of La Brea Avenue and Queen Street about 5:30 a.m. Thursday when they were struck.
"I need him to return and turn himself in, whoever hit me," said Emonie, who suffered from leg injuries. Her grandmother is now in a coma fighting for her life, according to family. "My sister was able to push her granddaughter out of the way and she took the brunt of the impact," said victim's sister Ida Baham.
Police said the driver in a dark green or black Nissan Altima ran a red light before hitting the victims. They said the driver did initially stop but then left the scene.
"He was going really fast and my grandma said 'Whoa,' then she pushed me out of the way, and then she took a chance to get hit, and I flew over the car," said Emonie. She said she was scared as she saw her grandmother lying in the street. "I called her name three times. She wouldn't answer, her nose was bleeding. I was praying for her in the ambulance."
The vehicle will likely have front-end damage and a possible broken windshield, police said. They are looking over surveillance video to find the driver.
Anyone with information about the crash is urged to call Inglewood Traffic Investigator Jeff LaGreek at (310) 412-5134 or the anonymous hot line at (888) 41-CRIME.
