Police Need Your Help in Finding Hit-and-Run Driver in Sherman Oaks, Victim Is Identified

Police hope details released today of the vehicle involved in the fatal hit-and-run crash at a Sherman Oaks valet-parking stop will lead to the driver.

The crash at Ventura Boulevard, west of Kester Avenue, happened at 1:45 a.m. Saturday, said Sgt. Bill Kelly of LAPD's Valley Traffic Division.

A gray, four-door 2010-2013 Hyundai SUV was being driven west on Ventura when it struck the open door of a parked Ford Focus, Los Angeles police said. A parking valet was opening the door for the owner of the Ford when the impact occurred.

The Ford driver was knocked "over his car and landed in the street," said Kelly. The victim was rushed to UCLA Medical Center, where he died at 5:46 p.m. Saturday, said Assistant Coroner Ed Winter.

Winter today identified the victim as Ernesto Melendez, 23.

The Hyundai also struck the rear of an unattended parked vehicle directly in front of the Ford Focus before the Hyundai driver sped away west on Ventura Boulevard, authorities said.

Valley Traffic Division officers asked anyone who saw the crash to call them at (818) 644-8032.

A suspect description was not released.

See: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=9210641&pid=9210522

—City News Service