LA police will close sections of road between Los Feliz and Griffith Park this Saturday morning
while groups of cyclists will be taking a ride to increase awareness about hit-and-runs.

The event, Finish this Ride, was developed after local resident Damian Kevitt, 37 was hit by a van then dragged virtually a quarter-mile close to the Los Aangeles Zoo last February. Not too long ago, Los Angeles logged over 21,000 hit-and-run criminal offenses, including over 1190 injuries as well as 41 fatalities, according to L.A. police stats. In Kevitt's incident, the drivers got away and Kevitt broke 20 bones and lost part of his leg.

"The is a just way I could bring closure from what happened to me is through embracing the undesirable event that occurred and making it something great," Kevitt said within a statement launching this Ride.

Anyone who would like to participate in Finish this Ride can register on-line or Saturday morning starting at 6:40. Registration fees range from $35 to $70 depending on which route you choose, 6-, 12- or 23-mile course.

The event begins at 8am inside the Church of Scientology vehicle lot, 4810 Sunset Blvd. in
Los Feliz, and finishes away at Autry National Center in Griffith Park near where Kevitt was hit. Proceeds from the ride will go to Challenged Sports athletes Foundation, which delivers active equipment to people with bodily handicaps and also the Los Angeles Local Bicycle Coalition.

Police will have rolling closures as cyclists move through intersections along the route, organizers
mentioned. In the wake of the Kevitt's trauma, city representatives offered the $25, 000 for any information resulting in the driver's public arrest. Assemblyman Robert Gatto (D-Los Angeles) also introduced legislation to increase the charges for hit-and-runs. For more information visit: http://finishtheride.com/