A 91-year-old Holocaust survivor was killed in a hit-and-run, authorities said, as they promised a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.
Gennady Bolotsky was walking in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles at 5:35 a.m. on June 17 when he was run over.
The driver was driving east on Magnolia Boulevard when they slammed into Bolotsky, who was heading north on a crosswalk, the Los Angeles Police Department told KTLA.
The driver drove away without getting out to check on the man he or she had hit. The vehicle was described as a white Toyota Tundra with a camper shell.
CBS2 at 11p: Recognize this truck? @LAPDHQ needs help finding hit & run driver who killed #Holocaust survivor Gennady Bolotsky at a crosswalk in Valley Village. pic.twitter.com/1hp1UJj4ra
— Jeff Nguyen (@jeffnguyen) June 21, 2019
WARNING GRAPHIC: @LAPDHQ needs your help tracking down a hit and run driver who killed a 91-year-old Holocaust survivor walking his dog in Valley Village early Monday morning. Cold blooded and heartless. Happened at Magnolia/Wilkinson. Live at 10pm @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/HuoNCew2CE
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) June 21, 2019
Surveillance video of the incident shows the truck slamming into the elderly man. The driver does stop for a moment but then drives over the Holocaust survivor’s body while fleeing the scene.
In addition to the driver’s failure to render aid, a pedestrian who witnessed the crash didn’t stop and check on the fallen man.
Bolotsky’s daughter told KTLA he had celebrated his 91st birthday earlier this month.
His family gathered near where their loved one was killed on Thursday, criticizing the driver who was responsible and urging people to call in.
“We wish you had a human soul to stop or call and not leave him lying on the ground,” said granddaughter Adriana Bolotsky, reported KABC.
“He was supposed to live to 100 or more. At 91, he had more energy than a person half his life,” said Bolotsky’s son, Michael Bolotsky. “This parasite of the society shouldn’t be in this society, shouldn’t be on the streets. So please help us to put him where he belongs.”
The victim’s family told CBS LA that Bolotsky was born in 1928 in Ukraine and escaped persecution during the Holocaust by moving to the United States.
A $50,000 reward was being offered for information leading to the arrest of the driver.
Holocaust survivor struck, killed in Valley Village hit-and-run https://t.co/hy7bSEgm3V
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) June 21, 2019
For everyone asking, dog survived. Family brought it to the interview today. pic.twitter.com/rlu3AzfEVr
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) June 21, 2019
“Everything was in his odds,” Adriana Bolotsky said. “And like this is how he went? None of us can put these pieces together.”
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact one of two Valley Traffic Division Detectives: Officer Fredo at (818) 644-8029 or Officer Reyes at (818) 644-8032.
Calls outside business hours can be made to 1-877-527-3247. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous can call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
