Elderly Man and Dog Killed in Sherman Oaks Hit-and-Run Incident
A tragic hit-and-run collision in a quiet California neighbourhood has claimed the lives of an elderly man and his beloved dog, with the driver of a luxury Maserati fleeing the scene before abandoning the damaged vehicle. The incident occurred late on Tuesday night in the Sherman Oaks area of Los Angeles, leaving the local community in shock and authorities scrambling to identify the perpetrator.
Fatal Late-Night Walk Ends in Tragedy
Andriy Korshunov, an 80-year-old man who had recently moved to the United States after surviving the war in Ukraine, was taking his Rottweiler for a walk near his home when the fatal collision occurred. At approximately 11:30pm, the pair were walking in the vicinity of the 4400 block of Woodman Avenue, close to the intersection with Moorpark Street, when they were struck by a northbound silver Maserati.
The impact proved instantly fatal for the dog, whose body was later discovered beneath a parked car at the curb. Emergency services rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the hit-and-run, with firefighters performing CPR on Mr Korshunov as distressed family members looked on. Despite these efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to a nearby hospital.
Driver Flees Scene in Damaged Luxury Vehicle
According to witness accounts and police reports, the Maserati driver paused momentarily after striking the victims but remained inside the vehicle before continuing northbound without stopping. The luxury sports car, which reportedly contained both a driver and passengers, was eventually abandoned against a curb just blocks away from the collision site.
Officers tracking the vehicle discovered it several blocks from the scene with significant front-end damage and missing licence plates on both ends. Although the Maserati was not reported as stolen, investigators have been unable to locate any California registration and suspect it may have been registered out of state at some point.
Substantial Reward Offered for Information
With no arrests made in connection with the fatal incident, officials are now offering a substantial $50,000 reward for information leading to the driver's identification, arrest, and conviction. The Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Traffic Division is actively pursuing multiple lines of enquiry in their investigation.
Authorities are examining the abandoned Maserati for DNA and fingerprint evidence that could help identify those involved in the collision. Simultaneously, officers are canvassing the neighbourhood for surveillance footage from doorbell cameras and business security systems that may have captured either the hit-and-run itself or the moment when the suspect abandoned the vehicle.
Community Shocked by Senseless Tragedy
The victim's daughter has spoken publicly about her father, describing him as a survivor who had recently rebuilt his life in America after escaping conflict in Ukraine. The senseless nature of the tragedy has resonated deeply within the Sherman Oaks community, where residents are cooperating with police efforts to solve the case.
Witnesses who photographed the suspect's vehicle when it briefly stopped have provided authorities with detailed descriptions, including documentation of the front-end and windshield damage sustained during the collision. These images are proving invaluable to the ongoing investigation.
Appeal for Public Assistance
The investigation remains active and ongoing, with authorities urging anyone who has information about the crash or the driver to contact the LAPD Valley Traffic Division directly. Anonymous tips regarding the incident can also be submitted through LA Regional Crime Stoppers, providing concerned citizens with a confidential channel to share potentially crucial information.
As the search for the hit-and-run driver continues, this tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from fleeing the scene of a collision. The substantial reward reflects the seriousness with which authorities are treating this case and their determination to bring those responsible to justice.
