Cyclist who lost leg in hit-and-run near Griffith Park speaks out

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Police are still searching for a hit-and-run driver who struck a cyclist last month near Griffith Park, causing him to lose his leg.

Damian Kevitt, 36, is speaking out about the accident that changed his life forever.

He was cycling with his wife along the L.A. River on Feb. 17 when they decided to head to Griffith Park. They were riding westbound on Zoo Drive toward the 5 Freeway when a minivan that was stopped in traffic made a sudden left turn and struck Kevitt, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Kevitt fell to the ground and became lodged underneath the vehicle — unconscious and unable to free himself. The driver allegedly accelerated and dragged Kevitt 600 feet until he fell from the minivan, the CHP said.

The driver never stopped and continued traveling southbound on the 5 Freeway, authorities said. In addition to losing one of his legs below the knee, Kevitt suffered numerous broken bones and severe road rash on his chest and back.

Kevitt has a message for the motorist who left him for dead.

“I think it’s honestly going to be far healthier for them to come forward and admit it and receive the due course of justice that they need to than it is for them to run and hide from the truth,” he told KTLA-TV. The minivan is described as an older gray Toyota Sienna, which had a “for sale” sign posted in the rear window. There is a $25,000 reward being offered by the CHP to find the hit-and-run driver. Anyone with information is asked to contact the CHP’s Altadena office at 626-296-8100.

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-- Kellan Connor, KTLA-TV