A popular Saddleback High School music teacher struck by a hit-and-run driver in Santa Ana last week was pronounced brain-dead Friday but was kept on life support so his organs could be harvested, a police spokesman said.
Chris Chavez, 26, was struck by a BMW about 2:15 a.m. April 20 at Bristol Street and Central Avenue, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.
A woman behind the wheel of the car got out momentarily and then got back in the BMW and sped off, Bertagna said. A witness attempted to chase after her, but the good Samaritan lost the suspect as she turned east on Warner Avenue.
Celebration of life for @saddlebackhigh teacher + hit+run victim Chris Chavez at 330 today. Vigil at 7p. @foxla pic.twitter.com/SKvAvsKhKU
— Gigi Graciette (@GigiGraciette) April 29, 2016
Another witness ran to get help from a nearby hospital, police said.
“The impact was significant and we do believe that the BMW has significant windshield damage and front end damage,” said Santa Ana Police Chief Carlos Rojas.
The driver is 20 to 30 years old and is about 5-foot-5 with a medium build and brown hair. She was wearing a black shirt and blue jeans, Bertagna said.
City officials put up a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the suspect, and the victim’s family matched it, making the reward $20,000.
“Our family is broken,” said Chavez’s father, Ralph. “We have a lot of healing to do and my focus is for that. We pray for the woman, that she just do the right thing.”
Chavez taught drums at the high school, where family members planned to hold a vigil at 3:30 Friday afternoon. Another vigil is planned for 7 p.m. at the collision scene.
— City News Service
$20K REWARD: to find hit & run driver after HS band teacher Chris Chavez declared brain dead. #abc7eyewitness @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/cB8TssBKpH
— Eileen Frere (@abc7eileen) April 29, 2016