A pedestrian struck by a hit-and-run motorist on Sept. 10 died from her injuries Saturday at a Long Beach-area hospital.
Maria Mendoza, 59, of Compton was hit near Willow Street and Long Beach Boulevard at 6:15 p.m. that evening.
A tip from the public led police to arrest the driver of the SUV that hit her: Edward Peterson, 83, of Long Beach.
Police dispatched to the crash found Mendoza lying unconscious on Willow Street. Paramedics rushed her to an area hospital, where was listed in “very critical condition,” police said.
Video from surveillance cameras in the area revealed that a champagne or beige colored small SUV struck Mendoza while she was in the crosswalk.
Footage also revealed that the SUV failed to stop for the red light while going west on Willow Street at Long Beach Boulevard.
Detectives were able to locate Peterson, after receiving a tip from the public. He was arrested about 11 am. Thursday at his home.
His vehicle was also located at his home and impounded.
Peterson was being held in lieu of $50,000 for suspicion of felony hit and run. He made bail and was released at 11:38 p.m. on Thursday, according to the sheriff’s Inmate Information Center.
–City News Service