A woman who allegedly ran off after smashing her car into a Harbor Gateway house where a prayer group had gathered, killing a 73-year-old woman and injuring others, surrendered to police, officials said Friday.
The driver was identified as Rashanda Norman, a 34-year-old transient, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. She turned herself in to the LAPD's Southeast Division station, claiming she "blacked out" before the crash but remembered getting into an argument.
Norman was arrested and booked on suspicion of felony hit and run. She was being held on $50,000 bail.
Eleven people, many of them elderly, were inside the home at 14837 S. Orchard Ave. and pinned by the maroon 1999 Buick Regal just after 8 p.m. Wednesday. Hailing from local Catholic churches, they were gathered for a weekly prayer circle.
Five went to the hospital with critical injuries and Elsa Debelen was killed.
The homeowner, a retired schoolteacher, regularly hosts prayer meetings in her living room, according to a family member of one of the victims.
A $50,000 reward was offered in the case.
