Community Mourns Long Beach Teacher Killed In Hit & Run

LOS ANGELES, CA — A memorial was held Sunday for a teacher who was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver in Long Beach.

Velton Johnson, a 37-year-old social studies, history and gardening teacher at Free L.A. High School, died from his injuries Monday night at the scene of the crash.

A Cheyenne song memorial led by Northern Cheyenne healers was held Sunday evening by the Youth Justice coalition at Chuco's Justice Center, 1137 E. Redondo Blvd., Inglewood.

Free L.A. High School describes itself as an alternative to detention and incarceration for youth who face confinement, who have been suspended or expelled from schools or districts, are returning home from lock-ups, or who have left traditional schools discouraged.

Long Beach police said they were searching for the motorist who struck Johnson and fled the scene about 9:50 p.m. Monday he was crossing the street at 7th Street and Ultimo Avenue.

While Johnson was lying on the street, a second vehicle -- a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a 61-year-old Long Beach woman -- hit the motionless man. The woman stayed at the scene and tried to help. Paramedics were called, but he died at the scene.

Police have no description of the first vehicle or the driver that hit him and fled.

Messages and memories of Johnson can be sent to action@youth4justice.org.

Anyone with information on the fatal crash was asked to call Long Beach police at 562-570-7260 or 562-570-7355.

City News Service