Woman Hurt After Falling Under Estranged Spouse’s Truck

A 35-year-old woman was in critical condition Tuesday after she was run over by her husband’s truck the day before while trying to keep him from leaving the house, authorities said.

Maritca Orozco had run out to her estranged husband’s pickup truck about 6 a.m. Monday after the two argued at her house in the 37200 block of 52nd Street East, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Det. Steve Lankford.

As Hector Orozco, 35, drove away from the curb, she tried to jump onto the passenger side running board but slipped, fell under the truck and was run over, Lankford said.

Hector Orozco has not been arrested and the accident is under investigation, Lankford said. Maritca Orozco suffered a broken pelvis, broken ribs and a ruptured spleen and was hospitalized at Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster, authorities said.

Orozco and his wife have been separated for several years. He came to the house about 3:30 a.m. Monday to retrieve a wallet he thought he left there. The couple argued but he spent the night there, then decided to leave in the morning, Lankford said.