It happened early Sunday morning at 54th St. and McKinley Ave.
Susana Prieto, 24, was driving her Ford Mustang when she was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe.
The driver of the Tahoe left his vehicle at the scene and fled on foot.
Prieto was in the Navy and had just returned from Afghanistan.
Her mother and 2-year-old daughter were at Thursday's news conference.
"She only left the Navy because she wanted to come and take care of her daughter. And then this happened," said her mother through an interpreter.
Police are searching for Dwight Stephen for questioning. He has a criminal record.
If you have information related to the case, call the LAPD at (877) LAPD-24-7.
