Hit-and-Run Victim Dies; Police Search for Leads

The 65-year-old victim of a hit-and-run accident has died of the severe head injuries he suffered in a Jan. 4 collision.

With his wife at his side, Salvador Contreras of Burbank was pronounced dead at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, said Officer Darin Ryburn of the Burbank Police Department’s Traffic Division.

Police have no suspect in custody, but are pursuing leads they received after handing out 1,500 fliers Wednesday at the accident scene.

Contreras was riding his bicycle northbound on Main Street at 8 a.m. and was struck by a car after entering the crosswalk at Alameda Avenue. The motorist fled the scene. No description of the vehicle or driver, who is being sought for felony hit-and-run, was available.

Now that the victim has died, the case is elevated to vehicular manslaughter, officials said. The only witness who has come forward is a young boy who told police a red van was stopped near the victim, after Contreras had been thrown by the impact of the collision. The driver of the van, who is not considered a suspect, is being sought by police as a witness.

“We’re hoping someone eventually comes forward,” Ryburn said. “The family would like closure.”