Jun 29, 2008 8:11 am US/Pacific
Police I.D. Driver In Fatal Hit-And-Run
FLORENCE
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A hit-and-run driver fatally struck Fortina Meza, 4, while he walking with his uncle.
CBS
Police have identified the man they say was driving a truck Friday morning that struck and killed a 4-year-old boy in Florence.
The truck is registered to Jorge Rodriguez, 29, who is also known as George.
Police say after hitting 4-year-old Fortina Meza, who was walking with his uncle, Rodriguez got out of his 1986 Ford Courier pickup truck, looked at his victims and then fled on foot. The boy's uncle was also injured but his injuries are not considered life-threatening.
A bloodhound tracked the driver to within about 75 feet of Rodriguez's Home -- a garage at 1745 Florence Ave., behind the La Sierra Bar -- before losing his trail, and authorities believe he may have been picked up by another vehicle.
He remains at large.
Familiy members have not seen or heard from Rodriguez, who is a Hispanic in his 20s, 5 feet 8 inches and 160 to 200 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He has a small goatee and a tattoo on his right forearm that says "Gonzalez" or "Rodriguez."
Authorities are asking anyone with information on Rodriguez to contact Investigator Roy Garcia at (310) 516-3355 or (310) 516-3360.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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