Sheriff's deputies were seeking the public's help to find a woman believed to have struck and killed a 57-year-old father as he was getting home in Stanton Thursday night, authorities said.
Rosendo Perez, a handyman, was fatally struck around 7 p.m. while he was crossing Cerritos Avenue near Sherrill Street to get to his apartment after he had just parked his truck, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Some witnesses said they heard the crash and ran outside. The witnesses said they were stunned when they discovered who was killed.
Leonardo Ocampo, a friend and neighbor of Perez, described the victim as a hardworking and honest man.
"I feel sad because that can happen to anybody over here. ... I'm a parent with two kids. That can happen to me. That can happen to them. Everybody feels sad," he said.
Relatives told NBC4 Perez was always smiling and had a son and daughter in their 20s.
Authorities said they were searching for a woman who was seen getting out of a white Hyundai Thursday night before fleeing. The woman's car was found a short distance away with significant damage to the hood and windshield.
Sheriff's officials tweeted before images of the Hyundai believed to be involved in the collision.
"We're just asking for the public's help. Any information that they have, any people that she might have met up with and left the scene or any vehicle that she might have gotten into and driven away," said Lt. Mark Stichter with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
#OCSDPIO ACTUAL VEHICLE in fatal hit-and-run in Stanton. Call 714-647-7000 w/ info on female suspect pic.twitter.com/WwutpYdVfD
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSD) February 26, 2016
No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information about the female suspect is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Department at 714-647-7000.
Hetty Chang contributed to this report.
