Mother Killed, Baby Hurt by Hit-and-Run Driver
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 Reseda street, Los Angeles police said Monday.
Ruby Moreno of Van Nuys died 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 near Vanowen Street and Louise Avenue about 10 p.m. Sunday.
Witnesses said Moreno, who had visited relatives nearby, was attempting to get into her car on the driver’s side. A 1976 Chrysler Cordoba traveling at an estimated 100 mph sped east on Vanowen, apparently swerved to miss a van that was making a right turn, then continued barreling down the street.
The impact sent Moreno and the baby flying over a parked car and into another, Macias said. The baby flew from Moreno’s arms and landed in the street about five feet from the sidewalk.
The driver, who witnesses said may have been intoxicated, hit a parked car then tried to turn onto a side street. He drove onto a curb instead, then ran away, Macias said.
No arrests had been made and police were still investigating the accident.
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