Driver arrested in fatal hit-and-run of Oakland grandmother
OAKLAND, Calif. - Police announced on Tuesday that the driver suspected of the fatal hit-and-run of a 73-year-old grandmother in Oakland last month has been arrested.
The Oakland Police Department, assisted by the U.S. Marshals, took the driver into custody.
On Wednesday, KTVU learned that the accused driver is Josue Ortega, a 28-year-old convicted car thief, with a pending shooting case being prosecuted by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.
Woman killed in Oakland hit-and-run crash identified as 73-year-old, recently immigrated to U.S.
A pedestrian who was killed last Friday by a hit-and-run driver in Oakland was identified by family as a 73-year-old woman. The grandmother and mom had recently immigrated to the U.S. from Thailand to be closer to family.
The hit-and run occurred on June 16 when Santu Maya was struck by a black Mercedes-Benz while crossing the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Vicksburg Avenue.
Surveillance footage revealed that Maya was walking behind her daughter and granddaughter at the time of the collision.
In the video, Maya can be seen bending down to retrieve something before attempting to catch up to her family when the Mercedes hits her and then flees the scene.
Maya suffered a severe head injury and later died at a hospital.
At the time, police said Maya was in a crosswalk when she was hit and that speed and street racing appeared to be contributing factors in her death.
Maya had recently immigrated to the U.S. from Thailand to be with her family.