Man killed by hit-and-run driver, struck again by second vehicle in Torrance
The family of a man who was killed after being struck by two vehicles in Torrance is devastated as the suspect driver remains at large.
On April 19, Carlos Gonzalez, 38, was attempting to cross Pacific Coast Highway near Ocean Avenue on foot at around 8:40 p.m. when he was hit by a vehicle.
The impact knocked him over and into the middle of the busy road. The suspect sped away from the scene. Dashcam video then showed an oncoming pickup truck running over Carlos and dragging his body beneath the car before finally stopping.
Leo Davis, a good Samaritan who spotted Carlos, immediately pulled over and rushed to help him.
“It was a horrible scene,” Davis said. “I’ve never seen someone just lying in the street like that and left that way.”
Davis attempted life-saving measures on Carlos as he awaited the arrival of paramedics.
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Carlos Gonzalez is seen in a family photo. -
Dashcam video shows the moment a second vehicle, a pickup truck, runs over Carlos Gonzalez’s body and drags it unknowingly after he was initially hit by a driver in Torrance on April 19, 2025. (Leo Davis) -
Leo Davis witnessed Carlos Gonzalez lying on the road and jumped out of his car to perform CPR until paramedics arrived. (KTLA) -
The scene of a fatal hit-and-run collision in Torrance that was described by officials as “devastating.” April 19, 2025. (KTLA) -
The scene of a fatal hit-and-run collision in Torrance that was described by officials as “devastating.” April 19, 2025. (KTLA) -
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The scene of a fatal hit-and-run collision in Torrance that was described by officials as “devastating.” April 19, 2025. (Citizen App) -
The scene of a fatal hit-and-run collision in Torrance that was described by officials as “devastating.” April 19, 2025. (KTLA) -
Carlos Gonzalez is seen in a family photo. -
Carlos Gonzalez is seen in a family photo.
“He was stuck under the vehicle by the time I got to him, so I cut him out from underneath the vehicle,” Davis said. “I took his jacket off. I checked his airways, checked for chest movement. I just continued doing CPR until the police came.”
But despite Davis’ quick action, Carlos was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Leo was the one who was here to help my brother and just be with him before he passed,” Carla said.
Although the initial driver fled, the driver of the second vehicle remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
As Carlos’ friends and family mourn the loss of a beloved brother and son, they’re hoping the driver who killed him is captured soon.
Carlos’ girlfriend, a woman identified only as Brittaney, said she remains in shock that anyone would flee the scene of a deadly crime.
“I understand accidents happen, but you can’t just leave,” Brittaney said. “You can’t just hit somebody and leave. His mom — she needs justice for her son.”
Loved ones have set up a memorial near the crash site to honor Carlos. A GoFundMe to help his family with funeral expenses can be found here.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call the Torrance Police Department at 310-618-5557 and reference case #250013850.