30-Year-Old Mother Of 2 Fatally Struck In Bellflower Hit-And-Run
BELLFLOWER (CBSLA.com) — A 30-year-old woman was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver in Bellflower Saturday evening.
The accident occurred on Lakewood Boulevard at Los Angeles Street just before 9:45, authorities said.
Detectives learned that the victim, a black female, was crossing the street westbound when a dark colored Nissan struck her. The driver failed to remain at the scene or render aid and fled southbound on Lakewood Boulevard.
The victim -- a mother of two, a toddler and a 9-year-old -- was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The vehicle sustained substantial damage to the front bumper and windshield.
Grieving friends and family identified the victim as Makeda More.
Feet from where she was struck, her family on Sunday gathered to mourn her loss and celebrate her life. They spoke to CBS2's Laurie Perez.
"She had nicknames for everybody in the house you know. Mine was Big Red, cause of my hair," said More's mother-in-law Leslie McNutt.
More's family said she was just running to the store to get the kids some drinks and snacks.
Jonathan Holt was standing just a few feet from the crash.
"I didn't see the point of impact, but I heard what sounded like a car crash, and when I turned around, I saw the car flying down the street," Holt said.
He yelled to Li'shae Childs who called 911.
"They were like can you give CPR and I said yeah, I can but you know...," said Childs, intimating that it was too late.
As anxious as More's family is to find the driver, they told Perez that an arrest hopefully will not be the end of this story.
More's family says the fatal accident shows a dangerous problem where she was hit. There are few places to cross this four lane street -- it's a full half mile between lights with no crosswalks in between.
"Anything to let the drivers know someone is trying to cross the street. You need to slow down or stop," said McNutt.
More's family say they will ask city leaders for a crosswalk -- and maybe speed bumps -- so that another family doesn't have to feel their pain.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Lakewood Station Traffic Detail (562) 623-3500. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the Crime Stoppers website.