A hit-and-run motorist responsible for fatally injuring a La Mirada woman who was walking her grandchildren home from school nearly five months ago remains at large, and authorities Wednesday circulated a security image of the unidentified suspect's car.
Maria Chavarria, 68, died at a hospital after being struck from behind about 1:15 p.m. on Feb. 20 in the 14800 block of Escalona Road.
Chavarria's grandchildren, a boy and girl who attend nearby Escalona Elementary School, were also injured but survived. The family lives near the site where Chavarria -- who had three children and 15 grandchildren -- was killed.
Sheriff's Capt. James Tatreau said at a news conference shortly after the crime that witnesses saw the driver on a cellphone as he left the scene.
"This hit-and-run left two children injured and on the street alone with their grandmother who was dying while waiting for us to respond to the call," Tatreau said.
A $5,000 reward offered by the city of La Mirada for help in solving the case remains in effect.
The hit-and-run vehicle was described as a 2015-17 dark gray, four-door Toyota Camry. No description of the driver was released.
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Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff's Norwalk Station at 562-863-8711 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
