Woman Killed in Hit-and-Run on Hollywood Freeway

NORTH HOLLYWOOD —  A 19-year-old Chatsworth woman died and three youths were injured Sunday morning after the car they were riding in was struck from behind by a hit-and-run driver.

Hyun Shim was riding in a 1990 Toyota Corolla driven by her friend, Ho Yong, along the northbound Hollywood Freeway near Sherman Way when their car was rear-ended and spun out of control, said California Highway Patrol Officer Ed Jacobs.

Shim, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene, Jacobs said.

Yong, 19, also from Chatsworth, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, where he was treated and later released, said Steven Weiss, a spokesman for the hospital.

Two other passengers were hurt.

Jae-Hyuk Shim, 17, of Chatsworth was also treated at Providence Holy Cross for minor injuries. She was in fair condition, Weiss said. CHP officials said she had not been wearing her seat belt.

Jason Kim, 20, of Chicago was treated for minor injuries and released from the same hospital.

Police did not get a good description of the vehicle that struck the Corolla. It is described as a light blue Dodge or Toyota made in the 1980s or 1990s. The vehicle would have severe front-end damage, Jacobs said.