Lakewood hit-and-run kills 67-year-old woman

LAKEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- A 67-year-old woman was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver in Lakewood Tuesday night, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies said.

The incident occurred near the 3700 block of South Street around 9:50 p.m. Authorities say Teresa Hernandez was walking across South Street toward Lakewood Regional Hospital with her adult daughter when she was struck by the suspect's vehicle. The daughter was not injured.

According to deputies, the mother and daughter were there to visit a family member at Lakewood Hospital. They left the hospital to grab a sandwich at a Subway restaurant across the street. The hit-and-run happened when the two were walking back to the hospital. They were not in a crosswalk.

A witness says he heard the daughter speaking with deputies.

"They look down the street and they see a car pulling out of the housing tract down the road there, maybe a quarter-mile, and they figured they could make it," said witness Gentry Nawsom. "Her mother was right behind her. She said when she got to the other side she turned, and boom, it happened so fast."

Eyewitness News saw several people, mostly hospital staff, crossing the street Wednesday morning with busy traffic. Some people told us that a crosswalk needs to be added.

"I know the city does what they can to regulate speed through here, but sometimes it can be dark and things like this are bound to happen," said Morris Kelly, a Lakewood resident.

The vehicle, described as a compact black Nissan or Honda, was last seen heading westbound toward Downey Avenue. Investigators say it likely has extensive front-end damage.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Lakewood Station (562) 623-3500.