The crash happened around 6 p.m. Wednesday at Gilbert Street and Guinida Lane. Witnesses said the driver never stopped, and he didn't even slow down after hitting 26-year-old Augi Hernandez and her 3-year-old daughter Miranda Palacios.
"The little baby, she was laid flat down on the curb, no moving or nothing. The mother was on her back yelling and screaming, didn't know what happened," said witness David Acosta.
The impact of the crash left a trail of debris, including a Palacios' shoe and a stuffed animal toy. The mother and daughter were rushed to a hospital.
The 3-year-old was pronounced dead a short time later. Hernandez remains hospitalized in serious condition. Family members say she continues to call out for her little girl.
"She has multiple fractures. Her bones are crushed, her back is broken. She has multiple bleeds, they don't even know what's going to happen with her," said the victim's mother Kim Kirby.
Kirby said her daughter used that crosswalk every day, walking her four children to school. Residents said the crosswalk is not well-lit and it has a history of accidents.
"We've witnessed more accidents than we need to. When we run out, my children are crying because they don't know what they're going to see," said resident Gloria Gonzales. "We're just devastated. This is really heartbreaking that this is what it's going to take for the city to realize the importance of a crosswalk, a light."
Authorities said the vehicle involved in the crash was stolen from the nearby city of Stanton on Tuesday. It was found abandoned a few blocks from the crime scene. According to witnesses, the beige Nissan Maxima was speeding as it went through the crosswalk.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the California Highway Patrol at (800) TELL-CHP.
"We need somebody to come forward. Please, tell us. Somebody had to see something," Kirby said. "We got to find out who did this."
A fund has been set up to help the family pay for funeral services:
Sanchez Miranda
Acct. number: 213-63-77358
Bank of America
