40-year-old woman killed by hit-and-run driver in Panorama City

Detectives are searching for a hit-and-run driver who allegedly struck and killed a 40-year-old woman in Panorama City early Friday morning. 

The crash happened just before 5 a.m. when a car was driving eastbound into a shopping center on Van Nuys Boulevard between Arminta and Blythe streets, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department. 

The car collided with a pedestrian and instead of stopping to help, fled from the area, police said. 

The victim, only identified as a 40-year-old woman from Van Nuys, was declared dead at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics. 

"Detectives are urging anyone who was driving on Van Nuys Boulevard in the area of Blythe Street and Arminta Street around 4:55 a.m. and witnessed this collision to come forward with any information regarding this fatal hit-and-run," the release said. 

As with all deadly hit-and-run crashes in Los Angeles, a standing reward of up to $50,000 has been offered by the city council for information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the driver. 

Anyone who knows more is urged to contact LAPD at (818) 644-8255.