Car crashes into South L.A. bus stop; 1 person killed, others badly injured

A hit-and-run driver caused an accident Monday evening that left one person dead and two others critically injured at a bus stop in South Los Angeles, L.A. police said.

The chain-reaction incident occurred near 449 W. 54^th Street, in the Vermont Square neighborhood, according to Erik Scott, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The initial crash involved a white Buick sedan that rear-ended an SUV that was about to turn right into a driveway. Instead, the SUV was propelled into the bus stop, striking a couple, each about 70 years old, and their daughter, who is about 50, according to Officer Mike Lopez, an LAPD spokesman, and officers at the scene.

All were badly hurt and taken to a hospital. The man later was pronounced dead. His name was not released Monday night.

The man driving the car that hit the bus stop also was injured, but immediately called 911 and tried to administer aid. Meanwhile, the driver who apparently caused the accident abandoned her vehicle and fled on foot. Police were unable to provide a description of the driver; they were canvassing the area for footage from surveillance cameras.

The driver who stayed to help declined to be taken to the hospital for treatment.

howard.blume@latimes.com

Twitter: @howardblume

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UPDATES:

11:30 p.m.: This article was updated to add additional details and reflect that one of the victims died at the hospital.

This article was first posted at 9:55 p.m.