Family searches for answers in mother’s hit-and-run death
On June 17, 65-year-old Elena Ramirez was killed after being hit by a vehicle while crossing a street in Indio. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene.
Elena’s son, Adam Sanabria, says the family remains devastated. Sanabria says he hasn’t slept since learning of the news.
“I was sleeping in. It was Father’s Day,” Sanabria said. “I was woken up by the Riverside County Coroner and the rest is history.”
A Palm Springs man was arrested and charged in connection with the crime but those charges were dropped after it determined he was not the person police were looking for.
“He was in our town. His car matched the description. Our officer did the prudent thing and placed him under arrest,” said Indio Police Sgt. Dan Marshall.
Nearly a month later, Sanabria is still waiting for answers. He says his patience with investigators is wearing thin and expressed his frustration with the lack of communication from investigators. Sanabria added that he doesn’t want the fact that his mother was homeless to deter investigators from finding her killer.
“Take this seriously, because if it was your mother, or your grandmother, or your sister, or anybody, you would want the same thing that I want justice,” Sanabria said.
The Indio Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding the driver. They are looking for a blue, Saturn looking vehicle- possibly a four-door coup. An identifying mark is a fin or spoiler on the trunk and perhaps some front-end damage. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (760) 391-4051. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call Coachella Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-7867.
