LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Police on Tuesday identified a woman who allegedly walked away from a violent T-bone collision in North Hills that left a man dead and four other people hospitalized in serious condition.
The crash occurred at about 5:35 a.m. Sunday when a white Lexus IS200 going north on Haskell Avenue struck a dark-blue Nissan Murano SUV traveling west on Parthenia Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Francisco Hernandez Rivas, 48, of North Hills, who was driving the SUV, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Passengers from both vehicles suffered serious injuries and were taken to a hospital.
Investigators with the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division identified the Lexus driver as 27-year-old Maritza Joana Lara of Van Nuys. Video of the crash shows her walking away from the wreckage.
Lara -- who is described as Hispanic, 5 feet 1 inch tall, 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes -- was last seen headed east on Parthenia Street, police said.
Police believe alcohol might have played a role in the collision and said some empty beer cans were found inside the Lexus.
Anyone with information about the crash or Lara's whereabouts was urged to contact Valley Traffic Division detectives at 818-644-8035.
After hours, calls should be directed to 877-LAPD-24-7.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 800- 222-TIPS.
