Driver Sought in Hit-and-Run That Injured Teen

Seventeen-year-old Eben Camper was crossing Ventura Boulevard near Lemona Avenue on Monday night, heading to Starbucks, when suddenly a sport utility vehicle smashed into him while he was in the crosswalk.

The SUV was doing about 40 miles per hour when it hit Camper, knocking him violently to the ground, witnesses later told police. The driver reportedly slowed down, then sped off, without stopping to help the injured teen.

"The vehicle slowed down to about 5 miles per hour, then took off at a high rate of speed," according to Lead Detective Bill Bustos of the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Traffic Division.

"The hit-and-run-driver failed to stop and identify himself, and did not render aid," Bustos said.

Fortunately, an LAPD patrol car was in the vicinity. The officers called an ambulance and Camper was rushed to the emergency room at UCLA Medical Center.

"My head hit the fender and it smacked me back into the street; my leg was bent over and my body was twisted when I hit the pavement," said Camper, lying in bed at his home in Encino, with a brace on his leg and bandages on various parts of his body.

"He's lucky to be alive," said Camper's mother, Tabitha Leeper. "I can't believe they didn't stop and care about the person they hit. It's not like they hit a trash can, they hit a person!"

Camper, who graduated in June from Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, was due to start college at Cal State Northridge this fall. "We're hoping this will not prevent him from starting his college career," Leeper said.

Witnesses told police the driver's car may have been a white Dodge Caravan, of unknown year. The driver was described as a white male with blond or gray hair, approximately 6 feet tall, weighing 170 to 200 pounds, according to the police report.

"The right side of the vehicle should be damaged," Bustos said. "The witness told the 911 operator that the partial license plate number is 6RQ."

Valley Traffic Division detectives are looking for people who may have witnessed the incident, which occurred at about 9:05 p.m.

Detectives can be reached at 818-644-8036 or 818-644-8020. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS 800-222-8477.