On June 16, 2019 at 05:35 a.m., a white 2016 Lexus IS200, traveling northbound Haskell Avenue, ran a red light and collided with the driver side of a blue 2005 Nissan Murano, traveling westbound Parthenia St.

The driver of the Nissan Murano was pronounced dead at scene and passengers of both vehicles were transported to local hospitals with severe injuries. The driver of the white Lexus IS200, identified as Maritza Joana Lara, exited the white Lexus and fled the scene on foot, failing to render aid to the injured parties. She was last seen walking eastbound Parthenia St.

Police say she was behind the wheel of a white Lexus early Sunday when she ran a red light and struck another car. The crash killed 48-year-old Francisco Rivas, the driver in the other car, and left four passengers in the Lexus in critical condition. The driver of the Nissan, 48-year-old Francisco Hernandez Rivas, died at the scene.

Rivas’ children are now without a father.

“You can imagine how it’s Father’s Day, their dad is no longer here,” said LAPD Det. Lisset Fuentes. “He was just driving on Parthenia, I believe he was on his way to church, so just an innocent person that got killed.”

Detectives found numerous open cans of beer in the crashed Lexus and say alcohol may have been a factor in the wreck. Investigators said speed was a factor in the crash.

Security cameras captured footage of the Lexus’ driver, believed to be Lara, walking away from the fiery crash and leaving behind her four passengers, including her younger sister, critically hurt.

Lara remains on the loose. She has a previous DUI conviction and police found open containers in the wreckage and suspect alcohol may have been a factor.

On Wednesday morning, police raided the apartment of Lara’s mother, located at 8070 Langdon Ave., about one mile from the crash site, based on a tip that Lara may be there. However, when they arrived, they instead discovered one of her passengers, police said.

That female passenger had been released from the hospital after being treated for her injuries and was hiding at the apartment because she is wanted on outstanding warrants unrelated to the crash.

“We’re still looking for her, for leads, people are still calling in giving us information, eventually we’ll get there,” LAPD Det. Lisset Fuentes told reporters. “It’s best for her to turn herself in, but there is a lot of people calling us, so eventually we’ll get her.”

Lara is described as Hispanic, 5-foot-1, 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She is known to frequent the North Hills or Van Nuys areas.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the LAPD at 818-644-8029 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7.

Check out the car crash video here: