Police Arrest Suspect In Fatal Hit-And-Run Of Santa Monica Mom In Inglewood
INGLEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Police on Sunday announced they have made an arrest in a fatal hit-and-run of a Santa Monica woman killed yesterday in Inglewood.
The incident happened at 10:08 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of Oak Street between Nectarine and Olive streets after the victim helped place her cousin's child in a car seat.
Police say the victim, now identified as 37-year-old Elisa Alvarez, was thrown 30-feet after being struck by a red or burgundy, older model Ford F-150 pick-up truck that was traveling at a high rate of speed, KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports.
Woman fatally struck by Ford F-150 Truck in Inglewood
Alvarez was the mother of a 24-year-old. She was transported to an area hospital where she died.
The victim's aunt was so distraught by seeing her niece thrown 30 feet, she also required hospitalization.
Police said that Alvarez had left a relative's birthday party just before the crash.
Authorities say the suspect vehicle should have minor to moderate front-end damage mainly located on the right side. Police described the driver as a bald, Hispanic man in his 30s with a thin mustache.
"On behalf of the family, this was wrong. What you did was wrong. Absolutely wrong," Inglewood Police Department Sgt. Ed Ridens said, while making a public plea for the driver to come forward. "If you're watching, you need to turn yourself in."
Sunday, police announced they were interviewing a man and called him a "person of interest."
Police later said the man had turned himself in.
Authorities have now identified the man as 38-year-old Jesus Cazares of Inglewood.
He was arrested at approximately 3 p.m. Sunday, according to officials. The car also allegedly involved in the fatal hit was recovered near Arbor Vitae and Oak Street.
Cazares is being held at the Inglewood Police Department Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
The investigation is on going.
The victim's son, Crystyan Fernandez, thanked the suspect for turning himself in.
He also told KCAL9 that he wanted to remember his mother for how she lived and not how she died.
"My mom was full of surprises, full of energy, full of jokes, always there for one if you needed help, she'd be there to help," he said.
Fernandez set up a GoFundMe page to pay for his mother's medical and funeral costs. His goal, $18,0000.
"Her life was taken very unfairly, and we appreciate all the help and support we can get. Every little bit helps. Thank you in advance," he wrote.
For more information about the fund and how you can donate, click here.
