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Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Walnut/Diamond Bar Station are having a news conference Thursday in Walnut to ask for the public’s help in identifying and locating the vehicle and suspect(s) involved in a fatal hit and run.
The news conference will be from 8 to 10 a.m. in the front parking lot of the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station, 21695 Valley Blvd. in Walnut.
The hit and run occurred on July 4 at approximately 10:30 p.m. in Diamond Bar, said Deputy Trina Schrader of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau. Bruce Bodel, 72, was walking northbound near his home on Penarth Avenue near Lycoming Street when a vehicle described as a two-door silver sedan struck Bodel as he crossed the street.
From evidence recovered at the scene, the vehicle is believed to have damage to the front as well as a cracked windshield, Schrader said.
Bodel suffered major injuries and died days later.
The vehicle was last seen driving southbound on Lemon Avenue and the driver of the vehicle did not stop to render any aid and immediately drove away from the scene, Schrader said.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Diamond Bar city officials are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s).
“This has devastated my family. He always liked to go out for walks, that was just his habit. Rather than taking a car he would take a bike or he would walk. He was a vegetarian, he’d never hurt a fly. So anybody who could help bring my uncle justice, would be greatly appreciated,” said Bodel’s niece, Jessica.
If anyone has information about this crime, please contact the Walnut Station Detective Bureau at 909-859-2817. Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.
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