A woman fatally struck after she stepped into traffic on a San Jacinto street was identified Friday as a 22-year-old Hemet resident.
Elizabeth Puentes was mortally injured just before 8 p.m. Wednesday on South San Jacinto Avenue, less than a block south of Shaver Street, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Sgt. Chris Loucks said that Puentes “stepped off the sidewalk and into traffic lanes” as a northbound sedan approached. The driver apparently did not have time to brake or swerve before hitting her, Loucks said.
The driver, whose identity was not disclosed, immediately stopped and waited for first responders.
County fire paramedics reached the location minutes later and discovered Puentes clinging to life. She was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where she died four hours later.
The driver, who wasn’t hurt, was questioned by deputies but was not arrested.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information was asked to contact the sheriff’s San Jacinto station at 951-766-2368.