Four people were arrested Monday after allegedly skipping out on their bill at an Anaheim-area restaurant and striking a waitress who said it was a “miracle” she survived the hit-and-run.
Authorities were contacted around 6:20 p.m. Sunday about four patrons allegedly not paying their bill at the Mexico Lindo restaurant in the 10900 block of Magnolia Street (map), according to a news release from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
In an afternoon news conference on Monday, the victim, who identified herself as Maria Uriostegui, told reporters she had waited on them and had a bad sense about the customers after they sat down.
When the group didn’t pay their bill, she said she followed them as they left and confronted them.
“They just walked out and I went to tell them, ‘I’m sorry, you guys forgot to pay your bill,’” Uriostegui said. “The four of them turned around, looked at me, laughed, and just kept walking to their car.”
She went to the parking lot to take down their license plate and that’s when she said they ran her over.
“We made eye contact, and they laughed it off and then they just drove. At that point and I knew they weren’t going to stop so I tried to move out of the way,” Uriostegui said. “By then it was too late.”
Surveillance video from the restaurant showed the moment of impact, with the vehicle rolling right over the waitress. Uriostegui said she initially could not bring herself to watch the video.
The vehicle went over her ankles and her feet, Uriostegui said. She fell to the ground, hit her head against the pavement and blacked out for a few seconds.
The mother of two, who was flanked at the news conference by her husband and 2-year-old daughter, was originally hospitalized with minor to moderate injuries. She said she suffered a bruised lung and a few scrapes but did not have any broken bones or fractures.
“It’s a miracle. I’m very blessed to be here today,” Uriostegui said.
She thanked those who have shown concern about her health since the collision.
Officials initially gave differing ages for the waitress, but sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock said she was 28.
Hours after the incident, investigators spotted the vehicle the patrons were believed to be driving, a black Volkswagen Jetta, outside a Motel 6 near Katella and Western avenues (map). Four people were detained around 2 a.m., he said.
Rowshaid Pellum, a 24-year-old Cerritos resident, and Long Beach residents Markeisha Williams, 18, Shyteice Miles, 19, and Santeea Ralph, 23, were arrested and booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and defrauding an innkeeper.
They were being held at Orange County jail in lieu of $25,000 bail. Their first court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday.
An investigation into the incident was ongoing, and anyone with information was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips can also be left by calling 855-847-6227.
Anyone who wants to help the waitress was asked by her family to make a deposit to Maria Uriostegui’s Chase Bank account, No. 133336610.
KTLA’s Melissa Pamer contributed to this article.
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