Children of mother killed in El Sereno hit-and-run call for justice

EL SERENO, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A grief-stricken family is calling for justice after a hit-and-run driver mowed down a mother of four in El Sereno.

Monica Zuniga was crossing the street early Wednesday at Huntington Drive and Eastern Avenue when she was struck and killed.

"I miss my mom. This is what she bought me. I want her to be with me right now," said an emotional Arturo Nunez, the victim's son, who clutched the backpack his mom bought him for school.

Arturo and his older sister, Julie, struggled to comprehend the sudden loss of their 30-year-old mother.

"She was a funny person, she was really nice, and I really miss her," Julie shared.

Police were back out at the scene on Friday, running a checkpoint and handing out flyers in their search for clues of the hit-and-run driver responsible for the mother's death.

The suspect vehicle was described as a dark-colored, early 2000s four-door Volkswagen Rabbit.

"Had that individual stayed at the scene, this would have been a traffic investigation. The fact that that individual fled and failed to render aid has made it a felony crime," explained Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Alfonso Lopez.

As the search for the suspect continues, Zuniga's family is pleading for justice.

"If someone knows something to please tell the police because I want the person who did this to my mom to go to jail because my mom was an innocent person," Julie shared. "She never did anything to deserve this."