WALNUT, CA (April 08, 2024) – In Walnut, a tragic incident took place in the early morning on April 8 when a 61-year-old pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and succumbed to his injuries. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner has identified the victim as Johnny Hernandez.
The fatal accident occurred shortly after 5 am at the intersection of Paseo del Prado and South Lemon Avenue. Authorities have confirmed that Hernandez was hit by a vehicle that subsequently fled the scene, prompting an ongoing investigation by the Sheriff’s Walnut/Diamond Bar station into the hit-and-run case.
No additional details about the driver or the vehicle involved have been released by the officials as the search for the responsible individual continues. The hit-and-run aspect of the incident means that criminal charges may be pending once the perpetrator is apprehended, as staying at the scene and contacting law enforcement is a legal requirement in such events.
Pedestrian safety has become a significant concern, highlighted by statistics from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), which estimates a rise in pedestrian deaths from 6,412 in 2019 to 6,721 in 2020, indicating a 4.8 percent increase.
