The girl was struck Wednesday morning at the intersection of McFadden Avenue and Newhope Street near Fitz Intermediate School.
The driver fled the scene, but authorities on Thursday confirmed that an 18-year-old woman was arrested later that evening. The Santa Ana Police Department said officers served a search warrant at a residence on West Kent Avenue, where they found the blue four-door sedan involved in the collision.
Santa Ana police searching for driver who struck 12-year-old girl walking to school
The driver was identified as Madeline Ortiz. She was booked for felony hit-and-run at the Santa Ana Jail.
After the crash, the child was taken to a hospital in critical condition. She has since been listed in stable condition.