Santa Ana Police Set Up Fund For Family Devastated By Suspected DUI Crash
SANTA ANA (CBS) — Donations have been coming in, as coins and dollars, to help a family bury their five-year-old daughter, who was killed when she, her mother and sister were struck by a hit-and-run driver in a Santa Ana crosswalk.
Osmara Meza and her family were walking to Norms restaurant for pancakes -- something the 5-year-old victim loved -- when 33-year-old Jessica Louise Cowan reportedly ran a red light and struck the family with her vehicle, Santa Ana police said. The crash was reported near 17th and Spurgeon streets to police at about 11 a.m. Saturday, according to Santa Ana Police Department Sgt. Matt Brown.
Witnesses said Cowan was driving at approximately 60 mph when she raced through the intersection. She proceeded to drag the victims for several feet. Police responded to the accident and administered a field sobriety test, which Cowan reportedly failed. Police said the suspect then drove off and several drivers allegedly caught up to Cowan, boxing in her vehicle so she couldn't flee.
Cowan was booked on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI and hit and run, Brown said.
The 5-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene, Brown said. Her mother, Eloisa, and 6-year-old sister, Gresia, were transported to a hospital. Eloisa remained on life support Monday and Gresia was in critical condition.
The Santa Ana Police Department has set up a fund to help the Meza family. If you'd like to help visit: http://www.sapdf.org/tragedy/
» RELATED: 5-Year-Old Child Fatally Struck By Hit-And-Run Driver In Santa Ana
(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
