Police seek info on fatal hit-and-run of pedestrian in New Carrollton

NEW CARROLLTON, Md. - Prince George's County police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who took the life of a Maryland grandmother.

Sandra Luna was struck as she was walking across busy Annapolis Road in New Carrollton on July 15. She was not in a crosswalk, but the driver that hit her did not stop and just kept on going.

After six weeks of holding out hope while the 39-year-old was hospitalized, Luna died from her injuries on Tuesday.

Her family is now shattered.

"I looked up to her," said Berta Castro, the victim's daughter. "She was my role model."

Luna and her daughter were running errands along Annapolis Road on the day of the crash. They split up briefly and were supposed to meet outside the Bojangles' restaurant where Luna worked. But she never made it there.

When Castro called her mother's cell phone, a police officer answered.

"That's when he told me that my mom had gotten hit," she told us.

Luna was in a coma for six weeks. During that time, her second grandchild was born -- a little girl who is named Sandra after her grandmother.

Luna leaves behind three children. They describe her as caring, forgiving and a devoted mom. Despite a tight financial situation, she saw to it that her daughter had a Quinceañera last year.

"She had been saving up since I was ten," said Castro. "She said everything paid off just because she saw me happy that day."

The hit-and-run happened in daylight at around 7 p.m. Surveillance video reportedly shows a dark Toyota vehicle, but did not capture the license plate tag. Witnesses in the area also did not get a good enough look at the vehicle.

"They took off so fast and made a left turn into the shopping center," said one witness who wanted to remain unidentified. "That's all we know."

"What person in their right mind hits someone and then leaves?" said Castro. "It's just not something human."

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is asked to call police at (301) 731-4422. People can remain anonymous by calling Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or texting "PGPD plus your message" to CRIMES (274637) from your cell phone or online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com.