Bicyclist killed in O.C.’s second hit-and-run since Halloween began

A motorist struck and killed a 44-year-old bicyclist in Anaheim on Saturday night and then fled the scene, a day after another hit-and-run driver killed three trick-or-treaters in nearby Santa Ana, authorities said.

The Anaheim incident occurred about 9 p.m. near the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and La Palma Avenue, said police Lt. Bob Dunn. A witness told police they saw a white pickup flee after the collision.

“We’re still trying to piece together how the accident happened,” Dunn said.

The victim was taken to UCI Medical Center, where she died early Sunday morning. She was identified as Daniella Palacios, according to the Orange County Coroner’s Office.

News of her death rippled through Orange County, compounding grief from Friday night and marking the fifth death of a pedestrian or bicyclist in the county since Halloween night.

“We are keenly aware of the events of the last few days involving vehicle and pedestrian collisions,” Dunn said.

In Santa Ana, twin sisters and their friend began trick-or-treating just after dusk on Halloween. The three 13-year-olds were in a crosswalk when a Honda CR-V zoomed down a Santa Ana road, plowing into them. A witness at the scene described what looked like three dolls flying more than 100 feet through the air. The teenagers, Lexandra and Lexi Perez and Andrea Gonzalez, all died from their injuries and police are still searching for the driver, who they say ditched the SUV in the parking lot of a nearby shopping center.

Ten miles south and about 30 minutes later, a father and son were also hit in a crosswalk while trick-or-treating.

John Roger Alcron, 65, died from injuries while his 4-year-old son remains in critical condition. The driver has cooperated with police and was released after questioning.

Dunn urged the driver involved in the Anaheim collision to turn himself or herself in and stressed that penalties are often more severe if drivers flee the scene of an accident.

“No matter what happens,” he said, “it’s best to stay at the scene and tell us what happened.”

Dunn asked anyone with information about the Anaheim hit-and-run to call the Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) 847-6227 (TIP-OCCS).

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