Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run crash identified as Atwater woman, authorities say

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified a pedestrian struck and killed in a hit-and-run collision in Atwater on Wednesday as 86-year-old Rosa De Sousa of Atwater, according to Deputy Daryl Allen.

According to the Atwater Police Department, officers responded to the collision at the intersection of North Winton Way and Fay Drive around 6:48 p.m.. Police said an investigation indicated De Sousa was crossing North Winton Way when she was stuck by the first vehicle driving in the northbound lanes.

The collision pushed her into the southbound lanes of the roadway where she was then struck by a second vehicle driving south. Life saving efforts were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

Authorities said the driver of the first vehicle, believed to be a white Ford pickup truck, fled the scene of the crash. No arrests have been made.