Covina hit-run: 88-year-old grandmother killed

COVINA, Calif. (KABC) -- An 88-year-old grandmother was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Covina. Her son was left seriously injured.

Livia Jansen's son was taking her home when the accident happened around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Vincent Avenue and Cypress Street.

"There's not a soul that would say something bad about Liv Jensen. She was the most loving person you ever wanted to meet," said Marge Patterson, Jansen's friend.

Investigators say the three suspects in the car, which T-boned Jansen, all ran from the scene. According to police, the owner say he knows who may have been in the car, which was taken without permission.

As they search for the suspects, Jansen's family and friends mourn her loss, especially those at her church, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Jansen played the organ there for more than 40 years.

"This morning we walked into church and she be sitting at the organ getting ready to play. She wasn't there, she wasn't there," said Patterson.

Jansen's commitment to her congregation was so strong she received a rare recognition award from Pope Benedict for her service. She proudly hung the award in her living room.

Too upset to talk on-camera, her family says all they want is justice. Something her lifelong friend says Jansen would want as well.

"She would want them to come and say I'm sorry. It wasn't intentional, I'm sure. Somebody made a mistake. Somebody made a wrong choice," said Patterson.

Jansen's son continues to recover in the hospital.