LOCAL : Police Seek Driver Who Fled Fatal Accident in Sepulveda

Police were searching today for a motorist who ran from a traffic accident in Sepulveda that critically injured his passenger and killed the other driver.

The crash occurred shortly before 2:30 a.m. today at the intersection of Sepulveda Boulevard and Sherman Way, Los Angeles Police Officer Ed Burns said.

A 1978 Buick Riviera was traveling north on Sepulveda “at a tremendous speed” when it struck the side of a 1981 Buick Skylark that was westbound on Sherman Way, Burns said.

The driver of the Skylark, a 45-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. His name was not disclosed pending notification of relatives.

The driver of the Riviera fled, Burns said. A description of the man was not available, but police said he has been identified.

The man who fled the crash left behind a female passenger who was critically injured, Burns said. The woman, about 20 years old, was taken to Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.

A passenger in the Skylark also was critically injured, Burns said. He was a man of about 25 years of age and was taken to Olive View Medical Center in Van Nuys.