Family of hit-and-run victim appeals for help catching suspect

ORANGE (FOX 11 / CNS) - The family of a woman killed by a hit-and-run driver in Orange this week appealed to the public Thursday for help tracking down the motorist.

Celsa Anaya, 58, was struck in a crosswalk by a white pickup truck about 6:30 a.m., Tuesday, at Glassell Street and Katella Avenue as she was dashing across the street to catch a bus to work, said Santa Ana police Sgt. Phil McMullin.

The woman was walking east to west, and the truck was going north on Glassell, making a right-hand turn to go east, Sgt. Rob Thorsen of the Orange Police Department.

Anaya's daughter, Eunice Anaya, appealed to the driver to "have a conscience, have a heart... think about the family that's hurting right now.''

"Even if you did not see her, you had to feel the car hit her,'' Eunice Anaya said. "You had to feel something. And for that person to just drive off and leave her laying on the floor, it's just heartless. I don't know how a person could just leave someone there.''

Anaya's daughter-in-law, Monica Anaya, said, "We just want justice for her. She did not deserve to be left like this. So, anybody, please, please come forward.''

The family has established a fundraising page at www.gofundme.com/justice-for-celsa. The victim, who died on her mother's birthday, had five children and 10 grandchildren.

Anyone with information was asked to call Detective Craig Brown at (714) 744-7342.