Pregnant bicyclist killed by hit-and-run driver in Gardena; police seek suspect

Gardena police are asking for help in finding a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a pregnant bicycle rider on Normandie Avenue near Gardena Boulevard.

Jennifer Costlow, 31, of Gardena was hit from behind by a dark, two-door car shortly before midnight Thursday as she was cycling south on Normandie, said Lt. Mike Saffell of the Gardena Police Department.

The car continued south on Normandie after hitting her, then turned west on 166th Street. Paramedics rushed Costlow to the hospital, where she died two hours later.

Police learned later that she was four months' pregnant.

Several people who heard the collision called police and investigators hope someone may have seen the accident, Saffell said..

“We need the public’s help on this one,” he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call (310) 217-6135.

-- Sam Quinones

Comments

[latimesreader]

Who goes out on a bike before midnight? Did the bike have lights and reflectors on it? Was she breaking the law?

[kyle]

This is terrible. My heart goes out to the victims' family.

The LA court system encourages drivers to run instead of staying to try to help the victim they hit. Until that changes, cyclists can assume they'll be left for dead if they get hit by a vehicle.

http://vimeo.com/13727225

[Ismaelito]

There you go again, blame the driver before getting all facts.

[Joe Mizereck]

My heart sank when I saw this report. My deepest condolences go out to Jennifer's family and friends. And to the motorist who failed to stop and lend aid to Jennifer, I know you are scared, but you must turn yourself in to the police. You must accept responsibility for the role you played in Jennifer's death. Turn yourself in and tell the police what happened.

To anyone who knows the motorist who killed Jennifer and ran away from the scene, if you go to the police and give them the motorist's name and it leads to his/her arrest, I will send you $500. I will only need confirmation from the police that you assisted in the arrest.

Joe Mizereck
Founder, The "3 Feet Please" Campaign
joe@3feetplease.com

[Joe]

@ismaelito
Duh? The driver took off. That's a pretty good indication of his/her guilt.

[MTS]

The driver fled. That's a fact.

[Alicia]

Jennifer was my childhood friend. I'm ery saddenned this happenned to her. May her and her baby rest in peace. I hope this person comes forward who did this. Such a tragedy. Words cannot describe how I feel.

[qwerty]

Terrible, this just really upsets me and just makes me weep over the whole incident.

[qwerty]

Terrible, this just really upsets me and just makes me weep over the whole incident.