REWARD POSTED IN TRAFFIC DEATH OFFICIALS SEARCH FOR FLEEING DRIVER.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

VALENCIA - City officials have put up a $5,000 reward to help catch the hit-and-run motorist who killed a city volunteer in a San Fernando Valley crash.

Brian Westfall, a film editor who volunteered at the city's public access studio and worked as a camera operator at city events, was killed July 23 near the junction of the northbound San Diego Freeway and the Golden State Freeway.

A white Nissan Altima went out of control and collided with the vehicle containing Westfall and friend Adam Lokey, causing Westfall's car to spin into a parked big rig.

Both Westfall and Lokey were taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, where Westfall was pronounced dead on arrival. Lokey suffered a fractured spine and arm and several cracked ribs.

The Altima's driver, described as a Latino man with a shaved head, stopped to inspect damage to his own car before driving off with two Latino passengers.

The reward, authorized by City Manager Ken Pulskamp, is the first reward of its sort in the city's history.

California Highway Patrol officers recovered pieces of the Altima, which they say had major front-end damage.

``Our officers have followed every lead to a dead end,'' said CHP Officer Wendy Hahn. ``We have sent fliers to car dealers and auto parts stores to be on the lookout for someone trying to get a front bumper fixed, but have come up with nothing. Now we're hoping that someone will be motivated by the reward to come forward.''

Anyone with information regarding the collision can contact Investigator Dave Pokorny at [phone] or Investigator Jeff Ferber at [phone].

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com