Woman struck by hit and run driver while mourning friend struck, killed at same spot

ANAHEIM, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - A woman was struck by an SUV in a hit-and-run crash in Anaheim while commemorating a friend who died in a motorcycle crash at the same intersection, police said Thursday.

The woman, who is in her 40s, suffered broken bones in the crash, which occurred at 10:37 p.m. Wednesday at the southwest corner of Euclid Street and Francis Drive, said Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt.

She was injured when a black Chevrolet Suburban traveling south on Euclid Street jumped the curb and struck her before crashing into a light pole and a parked vehicle. At the time, she had been standing on the sidewalk near a makeshift memorial established for a motorcycle-riding friend killed at the same spot a few weeks ago, Wyatt said, adding that she was taken to a hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Jason Rodrig told a news photographer at the scene he was with the woman lighting candles at the memorial for their friend. When he saw the Suburban lose control, Rodrig said he jumped out of the way to safety.

"I was right in front of the pole,'' Rodrig said.

The driver and passenger from the Suburban ran away, he said. They were described by police only as males. Rodrig said he believed the suspects were juveniles.

He said he was going to the hospital to be with his friend as she recovered.

''I'm gonna stay with her and make sure she's OK,'' he said.