Beloved family man, security guard killed in Long Beach hit-and-run

Security guard killed in hit-and-run crash in Long Beach

LONG BEACH, Calif. - A heartbroken family is asking for the public’s help finding the person who struck and killed a beloved father and security guard in Long Beach over the weekend.

Derrick Smith, 54, was working inside a guard shack for a housing complex when a driver slammed into the structure and immediately left the scene around 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 12.

The suspect’s vehicle was described as a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe. Officials said the suspect was speeding in the area when he lost control and plowed into the guard shack.

Smith’s sister, Jenine Nelson-Piggot, made a personal plea to the public to find the person responsible for his death.

"You have just hurt a family…it’s something we’ve been through before. He was my only brother left. We lost my little brother back in 2002 so…I want them to come forward. I just didn't want to have to bury another brother and now I do so…come forward and turn yourself in. You took a life and this is not fair," she said holding back tears.

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Nelson-Piggot said she went to the scene of the crash with her husband and found the shack shattered in pieces.