Mother Dies After Being Hit by Car; Driver Flees

A 19-year-old mother holding a baby in her arms was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver as she tried to get into her car on a busy Van Nuys street, Los Angeles police said.

Ruby Moreno of Van Nuys died Sunday night at Valley Presbyterian Hospital of injuries suffered in the accident, said Det. Lydia Macias.

Her year-old daughter was being treated for cuts at Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

The accident occurred on Vanowen Street near Louise Avenue about 10 p.m. Sunday.

Witnesses said Moreno, who had just visited relatives nearby, was attempting to get into her car on the driver’s side. A 1976 Chrysler Cordoba traveling about 100 mph sped east on Vanowen, apparently swerved to miss a van that was making a right turn, then continued barreling down the street.

“[Moreno] apparently heard the screeching,” Macias said. “She closed the door and started to run, holding the baby tight, but she tripped. That’s when the car hit her.”

The impact sent Moreno and the baby flying over a parked car and then into another, Macias said. The baby flew from Moreno’s arms and landed in the street about 5 feet from the sidewalk.

Moreno’s sister and Moreno’s 3-year-old son were standing on the curb about to enter the car from the passenger’s side when the accident occurred. They were not hurt, Macias said.

The driver, who witnesses said may have been intoxicated, hit a parked car, then attempted to turn onto a side street. He drove onto a curb instead, then fled on foot, Macias said.

A passenger in the car was detained by Police Sgt. Pat Connelly, who was in the area and off duty at the time, Macias said. The passenger was later released but the car was impounded by police.

Neighbors said accidents are common on the busy street, but they could not recall one so horrific.

“It was awful,” said Maria Legaspi, whose house is almost directly in front of the accident site. “The baby landed in the street. I thought it was a blanket, then I saw the little feet move and I started screaming, “The baby is in the street!”

Luz Carrillo and her neighbors were still stunned by the accident. One woman wiped tears from her eyes as Carrillo spoke of Moreno, who was often seen visiting the area with her children.

Carrillo and others said motorists often drive erratically on the street and in a nearby alley.

“I’m afraid for my child,” said Carrillo, who has a year-old son.

The site of the accident is a particularly narrow strip not far from a corner. “You’ve got a wide street dumping into a narrow street,” said neighbor Ed Morrow. Cars frequently park in a red-painted no-parking zone, further limiting space.

Moreno’s car was parked in the red zone at the time of the accident, Macias said.

By Monday afternoon a bouquet of flowers tied with a red bow had been placed with a can of soda and a pastry at the spot where Moreno fell.

No arrests had been made Monday night, and police were still investigating the accident.