The 818 Now

MONTROSE — A 49-year-old man was in serious condition Saturday after he was struck by an SUV and thrown 70 feet while crossing a street here on New Year’s day, police said.

The Glendale Police Department is continuing a search for the driver of the SUV, who fled the scene after hitting the man at about 7 p.m., Sgt. Dennis Smith said.

The pedestrian, a Glendale resident, was attempting to cross Montrose Avenue between La Crescenta Avenue and Ramsdell Avenue when a car traveling toward Ramsdell slowed down to allow him to cross, Smith said.

But a second car — the SUV — did not stop and switched into the center turning lane in an attempt to overtake the other vehicle, he said.

The SUV hit the man as he was crossing the road, launching him into the air, Smith said.

Witnesses could not pin down the make and model of the car, he said.

Sharon Shin, 13, was in an apartment on Montrose Avenue when she heard the crash and came outside to see what had happened.

“I went outside and I saw a man lying on the floor and then people were crying,” she said.

The pedestrian, who police did not identify by name, had suffered multiple injuries to his head and body and was in need of blood transfusions Saturday, Smith said.

“The focus at this point is trying to find who this driver is,” he said.

The City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to hear a proposal to possibly oust two civil service commissioners for “highly inappropriate” comments made when they twice blocked the temporary promotion of a police lieutenant.

Mayor Gary Bric on Dec. 15 elected to delay discussion on Councilman Dave Golonski’s proposal until the full council could deliberate. Vice Mayor Anja Reinke was absent.

The Civil Service Board twice denied extending the temporary advancement of Lt. Armen Dermenjian to the post of acting captain, arguing that a city employee named in an FBI probe into excessive-force allegations should not be trusted with additional responsibility.