Suspect Sought In Deadly Echo Park Hit-And-Run

ECHO PARK, CA — Authorities asked for the public's help Saturday in finding a 39-year-old homeless man suspected of causing a deadly hit-and-run crash in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles.

The driver of a 2019 BMW M4 was traveling westbound on Sunset Boulevard near Douglas Street at 7:45 a.m. Thursday when he veered into the eastbound lanes of Sunset Boulevard and crashed head-on into a 2004 Toyota Corolla, then fled on foot, according to the Los Angeles Police Department's Central Traffic Division.

Paramedics took the driver of the Toyota to a hospital, where she died from her injuries. She was identified as 61-year-old Rosa Garcia of Los Angeles, police said.

The BMW was reported stolen, Sgt. D. Steussie of the LAPD's Central Traffic Division said. Investigators were able to identify the suspect because he left his wallet and driver license behind, Steussie said. The suspect was identified as Ilya Foks. Police said he is from Los Angeles, likely homeless and is known to hang out in West Hollywood, Echo Park and Silver Lake.

Foks is white, 5-feet-10 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds with blond hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue collared shirt with a gray sweater, black pants with NBA logos, white and black Jordan brand high top shoes and carrying a brown bag, police said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Foks was asked to call Central Traffic Division Detective Jose De Leon at 213-833-3713 or 213-256-4844 or the Central Traffic Division Watch Commander at 213-833-3746.

Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.

—City News Service

Need to locate Fatal Hit&Run susp, see reward bulletin. @KCBSKCALDesk @NBCLA @KTLAnewsdesk @ABC7 @FOXLA @KNX1070 @LANow @LaOpinionLA @TELEMUNDO52 @estrellatv @Univision34LA @TheEastsiderLA @bikinginla @LAPDRampart @NortheastArea @LAPDCentralArea @LAPDHITANDRUN pic.twitter.com/SSsKUwOMOE
— LAPDCTD (@LAPDCTD24) January 25, 2020