SANTA ANA (CBS) — A woman has been detained in connection with a hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a 5-year-old girl and critically injured two other people in Santa Ana.
The deceased was identified by the Orange County coroner as Osmara Mesa. She was struck at 17th and Spurgeon streets about 11 a.m. Saturday.
According to police, the suspect — identified as Jessica Cowan, a 33-year-old resident of Frazier Park — had fled the scene of the accident but was apprehended a short time later.
A good Samaritan reportedly chased the driver down. A police officer saw the commotion and arrested Cowan.
Jessica Cowan’s booking photo. (credit: Santa Ana Police Department)
Officials believe Cowan was driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol.
The two other victims, identified as the child’s 45-year-old mother — Eloisa Madrigal — and a 6-year-old sister, were taken to area hospitals in critical condition. The mother and daughter have severe head trauma. The mother is reportedly in extremely grave condition.
The mother and her two children were reportedly struck while walking in a crosswalk. The driver reportedly ran a red light at high speed, believed to be about 60 mph.
Witnesses said the victims were thrown as far as 70 feet.
Cowan’s bail has been set at $10,000.
Amanda Burden, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, spoke to the victim’s family and loved ones Saturday night.
A devastated Isabel Hernandez told her, “It’s pretty sad. We lost my little cousin. Our little angel.”
The accident occurred mere blocks from the victim’s home.
Hernandez says she isn’t angry. “As a Catholic, and everything that I am, when God needs me, he’s going to take me.”
