UPDATE: A tragic hit-and-run incident has left a family in mourning after 25-year-old Neo Moroke, a recent graduate of Cal State Northridge, was fatally struck in Venice, California early on September 20, 2023. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reports that the collision occurred just days before Moroke’s birthday, intensifying the family’s grief.
Authorities responded to the scene at approximately 2 a.m. at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevard, where Moroke was hit while crossing the street eastbound. The driver fled the scene, leaving Moroke critically injured. He was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that emergency crews were dispatched around 2:30 a.m. to assist. Despite the busy intersection, investigators have yet to obtain clear video evidence of the suspect’s vehicle. Moroke’s father, Douglas Moroke, expressed his heartbreak, stating, “He was my life, my hope, my inspiration.”
In an emotional interview, Douglas recounted the last moments he shared with his son. “He said, ‘Hey Dad, I’ll see you later,’ and that’s how we always say goodbye,” he recalled, highlighting the close bond they shared.
Since the tragic incident, family and friends have created a memorial outside the Moroke home, where Douglas spends his nights speaking to his son. “I just hope the person who did it finds the moral conscience to come forward,” he urged, calling on the driver to “do the right thing.”
Witness reports suggest a blue SUV, potentially driven by a woman, was seen leaving the scene, but LAPD has not confirmed this detail. The family is calling on anyone with information to contact the LAPD as the search for the driver continues.
The community is rallying around the Moroke family during this devastating time, shining a light on the urgent need for justice. As the investigation unfolds, officials emphasize the importance of public assistance in solving this hit-and-run case.
Anyone with information is urged to reach out to the LAPD. The impact of this tragedy is felt deeply, as Neo Moroke had just completed his degree, and his family is left grappling with the loss of a promising young life.
