Police Identify Suspect in Fatal Hit-and-Run

Los Angeles police have identified Shahen Keshishian, a Glendale long-distance truck driver, as a suspect in the April 29 death of a Canoga Park documentary filmmaker, officials said.

Detectives in the North Hollywood Division said Thursday that it took them several weeks to identify the driver of a black sport utility vehicle that allegedly ran down Michael Craven, said North Hollywood Homicide Det. Mike Coffey.

The incident occurred as Craven was driving his Jeep south on the Hollywood Freeway near Barham Boulevard, when a man in a new black Chevrolet Suburban began throwing eggs at his vehicle.

Craven, 44, cut in front of the SUV, causing it to stop, police said. He then got out and started walking toward the Suburban when its driver allegedly accelerated, running Craven down before speeding away, authorities said. Craven died later at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood.

About three weeks ago, Glendale police spotted a parked black Suburban during an unrelated arrest. The vehicle matched a description given by Los Angeles police and the current owners eventually led police to Keshishian, 28, in Glendale, said Coffey.

During a search, police found traces of egg shells and denim fabric on the front of the Suburban, Coffey said. “It appears as if [Keshishian] was trying to get rid of the car,” he said.

Through relatives, detectives learned that Keshishian has been out of town on a driving job. His attorney, Fred Minassian, told authorities he was trying to arrange a surrender, Coffey said.