Family: Woman On Bicycle Killed In Hit-And-Run Crash Had Stopped To Feed Homeless People
ANAHEIM (CBSLA.com) — A 44-year-old mother of eight killed by a hit-and-run crash in Anaheim over the weekend may have stopped to feed homeless people before she was struck, according to her family.
Daniella Palacios of Anaheim was riding her bicycle when she struck and killed at about 9:10 p.m. Saturday, according to the Orange County coroner's office.
Police circulated a surveillance camera image of a large white pickup truck whose driver stopped briefly, then sped away after hitting Palacios as she rode her bicycle west across Magnolia Avenue, south of La Palma Avenue, Anaheim police spokesman Lt. Bob Dunn said.
She was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange, where she was pronounced dead shortly before 1 a.m.
Palacios had been on her way to visit a family friend and may have stopped to feed homeless people when she was struck, according to reports.
Her mother, Julie Lopez, said Palacios was once temporarily homeless and "never forgot about people in need. She would help feed the ones that didn't have."
Palacios had eight children between 9 and 28 years old and 11 grandchildren.
"She was a good mom to all her kids and grandkids," said daughter Elaina Garcia. "She was there for every older sibling and younger sibling."
Anyone with information on the hit-and-run driver can call Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS. All tips can be made anonymously.
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