Los Angeles police named a repeat reckless driver as the suspect in a hit-and-run that killed a 16-year-old boy and critically injured his sister.
Story Snapshot
- Police identified Raygine Glentasia Evans as the suspected driver in the deadly South Los Angeles hit-and-run.
- Detectives announced a $50,000 reward after exhausting leads and released the car’s make, model, and plate.
- The crash killed 16-year-old Hernan Martinez and left his younger sister in critical condition, police said.
- Reports link the suspect to repeated reckless driving and a string of robberies across Los Angeles.
LAPD Names Suspect and Details Fatal Hyde Park Crash
Los Angeles Police Department investigators identified Raygine Glentasia Evans as the suspected driver in a September 22, 2026 hit-and-run in Hyde Park. The crash happened around 9:35 p.m. near 60th Street and 10th Avenue. Police said a blue 2025 Nissan Sentra with California plate 9UVV136 was speeding east when it struck two pedestrians, Hernan Martinez, 16, and his younger sister, then fled. The department offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction after leads ran dry.
Detectives said the teen died from his injuries, and his sister remained in critical condition. Local outlets reported witnesses saw the driver run a stop sign at extreme speed and abandon the car after the crash, with a passenger also leaving the scene. Police naming a suspect allows tips to flow, but an arrest and formal charges must still follow standard process. The legal case will turn on proving knowledge of the crash and willful flight under California hit-and-run law.
Reports Tie Suspect to Robbery Spree and Reckless Driving
News reports said Evans has been linked to a series of robberies across Los Angeles and has a history of dangerous driving, including multiple prior citations for running stop signs. Outlets cited police briefings that the suspect allegedly blew a stop sign at high speed before the deadly strike, then fled with a passenger. Another outlet reported similar details and noted police highlighted a record of reckless driving behavior connected to the suspect. These reports help explain the urgency behind the reward push.
Police also released clear vehicle and plate details to focus the search. The advisory listed the model year, color, and license plate that witnesses and cameras connected to the scene. That level of detail reduces noise in public tips and speeds useful leads. Detectives stressed that they had exhausted standard investigative steps and now need help from the public to locate the suspect. Community members with information can respond to the official tip lines referenced by police channels.
Deadly Hit-and-Runs Are Rising and Pedestrians Pay the Price
Safety researchers said hit-and-run deaths have climbed nationwide, with California carrying a heavy share. The American Automobile Association Foundation reported that 10.5% of California’s fatal crashes from 2017 to 2023 were hit-and-runs, and about one in four pedestrians killed in 2023 was struck by a fleeing driver. That pattern matches what families in South Los Angeles are living through today. When drivers run, victims lose urgent aid, and officers face harder, slower cases.
Los Angeles transportation safety data show how often people walking or biking face the worst harms. A city Vision Zero study found that hit-and-runs account for a large share of fatal or severe injury crashes when pedestrians are involved. These facts point to a basic duty that most readers accept: enforce core traffic laws, stop repeat offenders early, and end the culture of fleeing. Firm, consistent consequences deter reckless driving and protect families who are simply crossing the street.
Accountability, Justice, and What Comes Next
Los Angeles police put the public on notice with a name, a car, and a payout to find a suspect. That is a step toward justice, but the work is not done. The next steps are arrest, charges from prosecutors, and a court process that weighs the evidence. California case law explains the state must show the driver knew of the crash, knew there was damage or injury, and left without sharing required information. That standard protects due process and helps secure lasting convictions.
Families in South Los Angeles deserve safer streets and swift justice. Repeat reckless driving, robbery ties, and a fatal flight from a crash should bring firm penalties, not excuses. Police asked for the public’s help because it works. Clear tips can bring a suspect into custody and bring peace to a grieving family. Anyone with first-hand knowledge can contact police through official channels. The faster the tip, the sooner the city can close this case and prevent the next one.
Sources:
nypost.com, telemundo52.com, thelalocal.org, yahoo.com, mwg.aaa.com, publichealth.lacounty.gov
