Gay Podcaster Mat George Killed in Hit-and-Run in Los Angeles

Mat George, best known as the cohost of the hit podcast She Rates Dogs, died Saturday as the result of a hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles, The New York Times reports. George became a favorite voice in the podcasting world for sharing his experiences dating as a gay man, as well as his takes on pop culture.

George was reportedly struck by a BMW while walking in a crosswalk in the Beverly Grove community. Following his passing, his cohost, Michaela Okland, confirmed the news via Twitter. "I would rather you guys [hear] this from me than a news article. Mat was killed in a hit and run last night," Okland tweeted. "I don't really have any other words right now. I wish I could contact everybody who knows him personally but the news is already out and I just can't do it right now."

The two collaborated on the podcast where they shared their opinions on everything from Britney Spears to mental health and, of course, their love lives. Okland said it was important to George to help queer folks feel more accepted, as it was something he had desired as a kid. As it turned out, sharing his story would not only be helpful to his audience, but allow George to support himself while living in Los Angeles. "Towards the end of my college days at Arizona State University, I started to share my experiences as a gay man with different people I was close to," George said in an interview with Shoutout Arizona. "Their reactions made me realize that a lot of these stories were funny to others, which then gave me more confidence to start sharing them with even more people."

Okland also shared that the two had recorded one more episode of She Rates Dogs before George's death, which was due to come out Tuesday. For now, however, it will "likely be put on hold," she said.

"My hope going forward is that people continue to talk about Mat and share his stories," Okland added, "because a little bit of the future he wanted can be preserved that way."

The Los Angeles Police Department is offering a $50,000 reward for information on the hit-and-run driver.