Help Needed To Identify SUV That Fatally Struck Woman, 69, In Rosemead

ROSEMEAD (CBSLA.com) — Authorities Monday asked for the public's help to identify a vehicle that fatally struck a woman who was about to celebrate her 70th birthday.

Qingrong Chai, 69, died at the scene of the hit-and-run crash, which happened at 6:26 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Greendale and Marshall avenues, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. William Wicker said.

"It knocked her off her feet into the opposing lanes of traffic and the vehicle didn't stop," Wicker said. "An oncoming vehicle stopped and the driver got out and contacted police."

Chai would have celebrated her 70th birthday next month, Wicker said.

There were no traffic lights at the intersection and Wicker did not know if there was a crosswalk.

Other than a physical description of the vehicle, no other identifying details were given to police.

"Nobody got a look into the vehicle or a partial plate. We don't know if the driver was male or female," Wicker said.

The vehicle was described as a dark or gray SUV that had its lights off at the time of the crash. Investigators believe the vehicle has driver's side front-end damage.

Anyone with information about the crash or a vehicle with suspicious damage can call Detective Payne at the sheriff's Temple station at (626)285-7171.

"Hopefully, people look at cars and neighbors," Wicker said. "Hopefully, they will come forward or the driver will come forward."

(©2013 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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.)