Police say the driver took off after hitting her and ditched the car a few blocks away.
Brigitte Burdine, 48, was killed.
"It's like my heart just fell out of my chest," said Michael Burdine, the victim's uncle.
Her loved ones hope the driver will have the courage to surrender.
"Everyone she knew, she's helped them out in some way," said the victim's friend, Kelly Friedlinghaus. "Through hard times or if you needed someone to talk to, she was there and you knew that."
The suspect vehicle was described as a dark-colored sedan with possible front-end damage.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to call the LAPD at (310) 482-6313.