Female Pedestrian, 52, Killed In Azusa Hit-And-Run
AZUSA (CBSLA.com) — Officials say a female pedestrian was fatally injured Wednesday in a hit-and-run accident in Azusa.
Aguida Luna, 52, of Azusa died at a hospital about two hours after being struck on Citrus Avenue near Laxford Road, said California Highway Patrol Officer Rodrigo Jimenez of the Baldwin Park area office.
Luna was in the No. 1 lane of northbound Citrus Avenue, just north of Laxford, about 5:30 a.m. when she was struck by a car that was northbound on Citrus Avenue in the same lane, Jimenez said.
"[The driver] failed to avoid colliding with Mrs. Luna, and subsequently struck Mrs. Luna, causing major injuries," Jimenez said, adding that it was unclear why she had been in the road.
The motorist kept going, but authorities recovered several pieces of debris from the vehicle. Investigators are now working to identify the type of vehicle involved, Jimenez said. Officials believe the car was an Acura Integra (1994-97), color unknown.
On Wednesday evening, KCAL9's Crystal Cruz spoke to Luna's devastated family. They had no idea why she would be walking in the street.
The woman's lunch bag was found on a bus stop bench just steps away from her apartment. She had been waiting for a shuttle bus.
"She's with God. With him up there. No more worries, no more problems for her," said Luna's sister-in-law, Carla Azera.
Luna's husband and her stepson were too distraught to talk on camera. But Azera said they are all hoping the driver does the right thing and turns him or herself in this Thanksgiving.
"You will pay," Azera said. "What goes around, comes around."
"We're hoping someone hear or saw the vehicle flee, maybe they got a partial plate or saw the driver. That's what we're looking for right now," said CHP Officer Edmund Zorrilla.
The family wanted to thank the shuttle bus driver for stopping to aid Luna, but unfortunately he didn't see anything, Cruz reported.
Citrus Avenue was closed for about two hours while an investigation was conducted.
Anyone with information about the accident was urged to call the CHP's Baldwin Park Area office at (626) 338-1164.
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