An investigation is underway after a hit-and-run driver left a 23-year-old woman dead in Burbank Friday night, authorities said.
Police responded to a call about a crash at about 9:30 p.m. near San Fernando Boulevard and Delaware Road, where they found witnesses trying to render aid to a woman, the Burbank Police Department said.
On Saturday, her family identified her as Madeline Marilyn Flores Garcia.
Garcia died at the scene, police said. Authorities believe she had been on a crosswalk when a driver struck her, and that she may have been dragged for several blocks by the suspect’s vehicle.
Police say the driver abandoned his vehicle on a sidewalk and fled the scene on foot.
The suspect, who authorities identified as a 49-year-old man Jesse Molina of Granada Hills, was later located in a parking garage nearby and was arrested, police said.
Authorities say excessive speed and alcohol may have played a role in the crash.
The suspect is facing multiple charges, including murder, felony hit and run and driving under the influence.
He is being held on $2 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.
Police and California Highway Patrol officials are investigating if that same driver is connected to another wreck that happened on the 5 Freeway near Burbank Boulevard just minutes before.
It’s unclear if anyone was injured in the collision on the freeway.
Erik Flores, Garcia’s cousin, said at a vigil that he hopes the driver “gets what’s coming to him.”
“He could take some responsibility, because he ended a 23-year-old girl’s life, a girl that had a lot of dreams. She was barely getting started,” Flores said.
