Pasadena Woman Arrested In Hit And Run Death

ALHAMBRA, CA — A 50-year-old woman who was struck by a vehicle that left the scene in Alhambra died from her injuries Wednesday and the suspected hit- and-run driver is facing a possible vehicular manslaughter charge.

The pedestrian was struck by what witnesses described as a dark-colored SUV about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Main Street and Meridian Avenue, according to Alhambra police Sgt. Steven Carr.

The woman, later identified as Maria Salazar of Inglewood, was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 8:19 a.m., Carr said.

"Alhambra police officers were able to identify the hit and run motorist hours after the accident and arrested 28-year-old Erick Reyes-Melo of Pasadena," Carr said.

"Officers located the vehicle Reyes-Melo was driving, a black Nissan SUV, at his home and impounded it."

On the basis of evidence at the scene and witness statements, police believe Reyes-Melo was northbound on Meridian Avenue and made a left turn onto westbound Main Street when the SUV struck Salazar, who was walking north in a marked crosswalk, Carr said.

While Reyes-Melo was initially booked on suspicion of felony hit and run, he is now also suspected of vehicular manslaughter and was due to be arraigned on Friday in Alhambra, Carr said.

Reyes-Melo is not suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Carr said.

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock