By Mary O’KEEFE

Brandon Duplessis was only 23 years old when he was struck and killed in the early morning by a vehicle on July 29, 2025. Brandon was in the crosswalk; the driver struck him and did not stop but drove off instead. 

It took hours for his mother Misty and father David to finally find out what happened to their son – or at least learn a portion of the story. 

The male driver who struck Brandon and left the scene turned himself into police at 12:30 p.m. the same day, July 29.

There was an immediate outpouring of support from various agencies for Misty and David. They offered grief resources and victim support, but what was really wanted were answers.

“David resigned from his job in order to ensure he could attend every court date,” Misty said of the next several months. “We haven’t been able to receive a clear answer as to why it took the driver so long to turn himself in or why he didn’t see my son in the crosswalk.”

The couple has several concerns including if distracted driving played a role in their son’s death; these and other unanswered questions continue to haunt Brandon’s parents. 

“We wish there had been earlier and more transparent communication, a fuller investigation into unanswered questions, and more sensitivity toward victims’ families navigating trauma and grief, and an understanding of the case from those involved,’” Misty said. 

Misty said it didn’t appear those who were supposed to help her and David really knew that much about the case itself. She began to reach out to support groups and found a few families that shared the same frustrations. 

“I have a sincere appreciation for victim advocacy groups, which I’ve learned from many start [with] victims who find themselves seeking answers,” she added. “I have learned that victims are often left feeling blamed or unheard.”

The 64-year-old man who was allegedly driving the vehicle was taken into custody on July 29 and released on Aug. 1. The LA district attorney charged him with one count of “hit and run driving resulting in death or serious injury to another person.” It is alleged that the man was driving at the time of the “accident resulting in death.” 

His next court date is Aug. 18 in downtown Los Angeles.