Comedian Perry Kurtz has died at the age of 73.

On Thursday, August 15, the comedian was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Tarzana, California. Kurtz was crossing the street on Ventura Boulevard, a major road in the San Fernando Valley, when a gray Honda Civic struck him and drove off, according to a Los Angeles Police Department press release.

“Rest in peace, Perry Kurtz,” his longtime friend and manager Dante Rusciolelli wrote in a statement to PEOPLE. “Golden Artists Entertainment and I are devastated by this news. Perry was not just a client, he has been my friend since 1987. He was a fixture in the Los Angeles comedy scene for decades and will be missed.”

“Our prayers are with his family,” Rusciolelli concluded.

According to police, the incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. When paramedics arrived, Kurtz was presumed dead and the suspect was no longer at the scene.

Police said they located and arrested 18-year-old Nathon Jaimes at his home Friday morning. He is charged with hit-and-run causing death. It is unclear whether he has legal representation.

“The hit-and-run vehicle was found abandoned not far from the accident scene,” police added in the press release.

According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s report, Kurtz’s cause of death is unknown pending an autopsy.

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Kurtz was in season 8 of America’s Got Talent when he performed a rap about the judges Heidi Klum, Howard Stern and Mel B, but was quickly voted out. He also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno And The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Kurtz began his career performing as an improviser in San Francisco with the late Robin Williams. He later moved to Los Angeles and was a regular at the famous Comedy Store in Hollywood.

His YouTube channel, which has nearly 2,000 followers, remained active until his death. His last video was posted just five days before his death. In the three-minute clip, Kurtz can be seen singing “I’ll Always Remember Us This Way” at the Barrel Tavern, a live music bar in Sherman Oaks, California.

In most of his videos over the last few months, he has demonstrated his musical skills and also posted some stand-up performances.