A Norwalk man was struck and killed in a hit-and-run collision at 10:25 p.m. last Thursday near the intersection of Doheny Drive and 3rd Street. Police are seeking the driver of a rugged, off-road, four-door Jeep Wrangler that is dark gray or silver.

Anand Shah, of Norwalk, was killed by a hit-and-run driver after trying to cross Doheny Drive on Sept. 5. (photo by Aaron Blevins)
According to police, the pedestrian, identified as Anand Suryakant Shah, 33, by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, was crossing Doheny Drive north of 3rd Street outside of the crosswalk when the northbound Jeep struck him.
The driver failed to stop and render aid, as required by law, police said. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded and provided medical attention, but Shah was pronounced dead at 10:33 p.m., the coroner’s office said.
While the LAPD stated that the collision occurred north of the intersection, the coroner’s office said it occurred south of 3rd Street. A staff member at the nearby Four Seasons Hotel said the incident was north of the intersection, though accidents are relatively frequent south of the stoplight as well.
Cary Brazeman, founder of the Beverly West Residents Association, said the intersection, like many others in Los Angeles, has its share of speeders, but he doesn’t consider Doheny Drive to be a problem street.
“This is the first I’ve become aware of an incident like this,” he said, adding that 3rd Street was widened in the last few years. “Sadly, nobody can assume anymore than an oncoming driver will stop.”
In 2012, some West Hollywood residents called for additional traffic calming measures on Doheny Drive further north, between Santa Monica and Sunset boulevards.
Walter Davis, city traffic specialist, said the residents requested a traffic signal or other measures at Doheny Drive and Elevado Avenue. He said the city’s Engineering Division evaluated the intersection and based on the number of accidents in the area and other data, the city opted not to install a traffic signal.
“They didn’t find that it was really warranted,” Davis said, adding that another issue in implementing calming measures on the street is that it’s shared with the city of Beverly Hills. He added that Beverly Hills officials felt that the stoplight would further push traffic through neighborhoods. “Beverly Hills wasn’t all that interested in putting in a traffic signal.”
However, the city of West Hollywood is mulling some other traffic improvements in the area as part of its bike and pedestrian study, which will be ready in a couple of months, Davis said. He stressed that each block of the street has different characteristics, so traffic calming measures implemented on one end of the street may not transfer well to another section.
“The bottom line is we are looking at what can be done,” Davis added.
Brazeman said he would like additional traffic calming measures, such as speed humps, added on side streets near the collision.
“It would make sense to implement them on the smaller, cut-through streets,” he said.
Representatives of Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz, 5th District, said the councilman has asked the city’s Department of Transportation to review the overall safety of the area and study whether adjustments should be made.
Anyone with additional information about the collision is advised to contact West Traffic Division detectives at (213)473-0222. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to (877)LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous call call Crime Stopper at (800)222-TIPS. Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” People may also go to www.lapdonline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.
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