Reward offered in search for driver who hit and killed grandmother, injured 2 kids

LA MIRADA, Calif. (FOX 11) - A $5,000 reward was offered Wednesday in connection to the fatal hit-and-run last month of a grandmother walking her two grandchildren home from school in La Mirada, authorities said.

Maria "Carmen" Chavarria and her two young grandkids, a boy and a girl, were struck from behind by a hit-and-run driver around 1:15 p.m. on Feb. 20 in the 14800 block of Escalona Road, near Escalona Elementary School, detectives with the Norwalk Sheriff's Station said.

All three pedestrians were taken to the hospital, where Chavarria died from her injuries, authorities said.

The driver never stopped to help the grandmother or her grandchildren, detectives said.

The suspect's vehicle was captured on surveillance video, described by authorities as a 2015 to 2017 dark gray Toyota Camry with damage to its front passenger-side headlight area.

"The victim's family is devastated and asking for your help," Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a news release.

Norwalk Sheriff's Station detectives announced the $5,000 reward being offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the fatal hit-and-run.

Anyone with information regarding the deadly collision was asked to call the Sheriff's Norwalk station at 562-863-8711 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).