City Offers Reward in Hit-Run Death

The Los Angeles City Council is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the hit-and-run driver who killed a Cal State Northridge student as he skated near his parents’ West Hills home.

Councilwoman Laura Chick, chairwoman of the council’s Public Safety Committee, announced the award Wednesday.

She cited a recent Los Angeles Police Department survey that found residents’ fear of dangerous drivers rivals their concern about crime.

“It is this cruel hit-and-run accident which leads people not to be calmed by the recent statistics that suggest there is a drop in serious crime,” Chick said. “We’ve truly got to work together to make our streets safer and this includes safe driving on city streets.”

Charles Mann died Oct. 10, a week after falling into a coma. On Oct. 3, he was in-line skating on Valley Circle Boulevard just south of Kittridge Street when a compact car apparently swung into the bicycle lane in an effort to pass traffic, police said. The car hit Mann, knocking him into the car’s windshield and shattering it.

As Mann lay on the ground, witnesses said, the male driver sped away.

Det. Patrick Ramsey said police are seeking an older-model, light-blue or silver-gray Nissan, Toyota Tercel or Volkswagen Rabbit with a smashed windshield.

Police have exhausted all clues in their investigation, Ramsey added, and are hoping for input from the public. Anyone with information should call Ramsey at (818) 756-8391.