Lydia Ray, 61, remains hospitalized in intensive care at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood after being critically injured by a hit-and-run driver Saturday afternoon in Compton. The search continues for the suspect.
"I can't believe anybody would do that," said Ray's daughter, Charmane Lars-Threat. "I understand accidents happen, but just stop. How could you just do that, just leave her in the street like an animal. We just want this person to get caught. Angry. Frustrated."
Witnesses say the hit-and-run driver slammed into a parked car before ramming into Ray's mail truck which was parked near the intersection of Santa Fe and Euclid in Compton. They say the impact tossed Ray away from her truck and underneath two cars, where she was pinned. People in the neighborhood worked together to free her.
"My family appreciates all the community that came out and helped take care of my mom and waited with her and stayed with her until the ambulance came. My mom is the sweetest person. She's got five kids and will give you the shirt off her back," said Lars-Threat.
Ray is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service. She remains in critical condition and has undergone two surgeries for her injuries.
"Longtime letter-carrier, very well-loved and the Postal Service is very concerned about our employee, and hope and pray for her recovery," said Richard Maher, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service.
Postal officials say in the last six months, three letter-carriers have been hit by drivers in Southern California. One died.
"Fortunately Lydia is going to recover. Not all of our letter-carriers were so fortunate," said Barbara Stickler, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Union Local 1100. "This incident was the first hit-and-run."
Witnesses described the suspect vehicle as a blue 1999-2000 BMW 325i or 328i with minor front-end damage.
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to call Los Angeles Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
