Woman identified after SUV crashes and pins her against building in South LA
SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 33-year-old woman who was killed in a tragic car crash in South Los Angeles has been identified as a mother and small business owner.
Lisbeth Santana Estrada Rodriguez was fatally struck Tuesday afternoon as she was crossing in an unmarked crosswalk near West 46th Street and Normandie Avenue.
According to police, an SUV driver lost control and crashed into a building, pinning her between the car and the wall. She died at the scene.
The victim was a mother of two young children who owned a small neighborhood market near their home. Her neighbors told Eyewitness News she was likely on her way to pick up her kids from school.
"She's going to be missed a lot," said neighbor Yvonne Murillo. " She's very nice people. They were my neighbors, and the kids ... I loved them. Every morning, they come by my door and say, 'Hi friend!' because, you know, they call me friend."
Rodriguez's husband was too distraught to speak with ABC7 on Wednesday. He was on the phone with her parents in El Salvador, informing them what happened to their daughter.
At the time of the incident, he was close by and could be seen clutching on to his wife's body.
"It's very hard," said Victor Carillos, who said he and his wife, Maria, are regulars at Rodriguez's market. They said she treated her customers like family.
"It's terrible what happened, to tell you the truth. It's terrible," said Maria Carillos.
Police say the driver, identified as Dwight William Jr., stayed at the scene and was visibly distraught. The 31-year-old was later booked for manslaughter.
Authorities added evidence at the scene indicated that he was driving recklessly at the time of the crash.
"Our kids go to school together," said neighbor James Sly. "I see her walk her kids to school. I drive my kids to school, and than this [expletive] happens ... it really [does] hurt."
