A tragic start to the New Year unfolded in Pomona as a young woman fell victim to a hit-and-run incident on New Year’s Day, prompting police action that led to an arrest. Isabella Ortega, a 20-year-old, stands accused in the death of 23-year-old Khailyn Garcia Sanchez after the latter was struck and fatally injured on Garey Ave. near Center St. in the early morning hours of January 1st. According to authorities, the collision occurred at approximately 1:27 AM.
Sanchez was swiftly taken to a nearby hospital but was unable to survive the grave injuries sustained, passing away shortly thereafter. The suspect, Ortega, allegedly chose to quickly flee the scene instead of offering aid or confronting the repercussions of the crash. The Pomona Police Department took to announcing the arrest in a public notice released on the heels of the incident.
Initial response by the Pomona PD officers and LA County Fire Department personnel was met with an urgent attempt to save Sanchez's life at the scene, but their efforts were ultimately met with the stark reality of mortality. The search for justice led officials to urge the public for any information they could provide—an effort that presumably played a role in tracking down Ortega. In the pursuit of further leads, the police are still soliciting information about the collision to aid their ongoing investigation.
The Major Accident Investigation Team of the Pomona Police Department has been assigned to probe deeper into the circumstances of the lethal encounter. They call for any witnesses or individuals with knowledge of the incident to come forward, offering anonymity for those who wish it through "Crime Stoppers." The promise to thoroughly investigate and to, hopefully, uncover the absolute truth stands as a scant comfort to a community in mourning.
Meanwhile, the police department implores anyone who might hold additional insights into the hit-and-run that took such a devastating toll on New Year’s Day to contact them at 909-620-2155. Alternatively, to remain unnamed, informants may call "Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), ensuring their information can be collected without fear of personal exposure, as they help to potentially weave together the untold details of the tragedy that befell Khailyn Garcia Sanchez.
