Authorities reached out to the public Tuesday for help identifying a motorist involved in a fatal hit-and-run in North Park.
A vehicle struck 42-year-old Stephen Debow of Del Mar at about 7:15 p.m. last Tuesday as he was crossing the street in the 4000 block of Utah Street, just south of Polk Avenue, according to the San Diego Police Department.
Following the impact, the motorist continued driving to the south and left the area, the SDPD reported.
Debow was pronounced dead at a Hillcrest hospital on Monday.
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Based on broken-off car components left behind at the site of the accident — including a driver's-side trim piece and a side mirror — investigators believe the involved vehicle was a 2017 to 2022 Hyundai Ioniq. Police have no description of the driver.
Debow's friends gathered Tuesday night in North Park near where he was hit. They shared stories and reminisced on good times.
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"Let's take those old records off the shelf. Let's take those old records off the shelf," a chorus of friends sang with their arms around one another. They were remembering the time Debow sang that line alone, for three minutes, during his rendition of "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll" by Bob Seger at a karaoke bar.
The memory was a great example of Debow's sense of humor, according to his friends.
Accident witness Loanna Laserna heard the car hit Debow just outside her window.
“I did just see someone on the ground and they sounded like they were in pain," she said.
Laserna didn’t get a look at the car before the driver sped away. She said better street lighting and a stop sign, changes she’s lobbied the city for many times, might have saved Debow’s life.
"The worst case scenario — someone dying, passing away because of something that could be prevented. Let's hope they find the person who did it," Laserna said.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or contact the agency online at sdcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
