Behind the Badge
The Anaheim PD is asking for the public’s help in finding a motorist who struck and killed a woman riding a bicycle Saturday night and then fled the scene.
Daniela Rafaela Palacios, 44, of Anaheim, died from injuries sustained in the hit-and-run incident at 9:10 p.m. Nov. 1 in the area of North Magnolia Avenue and West La Palma Drive.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Palacios lying in the northbound lanes of Magnolia Avenue south of La Palma Avenue. She had injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle and was transported to UCI Medical Center for treatment.
Shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday, the Orange County Coroner reporter to police that Palacios died at the hospital.
Anaheim PD traffic investigators located one witness at the scene.
Through the witness statement and the agency’s preliminary investigation, police believe Palacios was riding her bicycle westbound, across Magnolia Avenue south of La Palma Avenue, when she was struck by a large white pickup truck traveling northbound in the No. 2 lane of Magnolia Avenue, south of La Palma Avenue.
The white truck briefly stopped before speeding off northbound on Magnolia Avenue, police say.
The investigation continues.
UPDATE: The picture above is believed to be the suspect’s vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS, www.occrimestoppers.org, or text OCCS and your tip to CRIMES (274637). Callers may remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
