Family of woman killed in South LA hit-and-run asks driver to come forward

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Police and mourning family members are asking for help in tracking down the driver of a hit-and-run crash that killed a 79-year-old woman in South Los Angeles.

The family of Maria Covarrubias came out to make a plea on Wednesday. Police have no idea who they are looking for, but video being investigated shows there were witnesses at the scene of the crash.

The victim was crossing the street on her way to get food on Sept. 14 when a driver took her life and took her away from her family forever

"To the person who did this, please turn yourself in and know, through the grace and mercy of our lord Jesus Christ, we have forgiven you," said Nellie Covarrubias, the victim's niece.

The video shows Maria Covarrubias in the crosswalk. It's unclear whether the driver had a green or red light, but he or she hits the victim in the intersection of 79th Street and Western Avenue at such a speed, the victim is violently thrown three store fronts down.

The driver briefly gets out, looks at the victim, then reverses and speeds away in a black Chevrolet Avalanche with gray trim.

"How can somebody just go out and see a person lay there and just get back in a car and leave? That hurt more," said Yanni Covarrubias, another niece of the victim.

Since the hit-and-run, Los Angeles Police Department investigators did learn the driver returned to the scene.

"We found out that after several minutes, the driver doubled back to Western and went down to Manchester," said Detective Sandra Smith of the LAPD.

The family was asking the driver to turn him or herself in and asking anyone who may know something to put themselves in their shoes.

"Do the right thing and turn yourself in. Allow us, the family of Maria de La Luz Covarrubias, to begin the healing process," Nellie Covarrubias said while holding back tears.

The black suspect vehicle should have damage to the Chevy emblem, a missing passenger side mirror and some damage to the burner.

The city of L.A. offers rewards for all hit-and-run incidents. In this case, there is a $50,000 reward.

If you think you can help the family find closure, call 1-800-LAPD.