MANTECA, CA — A 73-year-old woman died Friday morning after being struck by a vehicle while walking home from Calvary Church in Manteca, according to police. Officers were called to the 800 block of West Lathrop Road around 5:49 a.m. after a report that a pedestrian had been hit.
Police said the driver did not stay at the scene. A witness told investigators the motorist got out of the car briefly, then drove away. The woman was taken to a hospital, where she later died of her injuries.
Witnesses say driver left after stopping briefly
Manteca police said a witness saw the vehicle strike the woman and then stop. The driver reportedly stepped out of the car before leaving, turning the collision into a hit-and-run investigation.
Authorities have not identified the driver. Police also have not said what kind of vehicle was involved, and no arrest was announced in the information released Friday. Investigators are asking anyone who saw the crash to come forward with information that could help determine how the collision unfolded.
The department said people with information should contact police at 209-456-8101.
Church said woman had been picking up a food ticket
Calvary Church said the woman had been at the church earlier to get a food ticket for later. The church also said she had visited before to use its free food resources, indicating she was familiar with the location and its outreach services.
The connection to the church adds a personal dimension to the crash, which happened as she was returning home in the early morning hours. Police have not said how far she had traveled before she was hit, only that she was walking in the 800 block of West Lathrop Road when the vehicle struck her.
The church’s statement helps explain why she was in the area before sunrise. It also underscores that the crash involved a person returning from a routine stop rather than a large public gathering or event.
Police say she was not in a crosswalk
Investigators said the woman did not appear to have been in a crosswalk when the collision happened. That detail may become important as police work to reconstruct the moments before impact, including the pedestrian’s position and the driver’s actions.
Even so, the fact that she may not have been in a marked crossing does not change the central issue in the case: the driver allegedly left after the crash instead of remaining to help or wait for officers.
Police have not released any further findings about speed, visibility, roadway conditions, or whether impairment played a role. Those questions appear to remain part of the active investigation.
Early morning crash on West Lathrop Road prompts investigation
The collision happened shortly before 6 a.m., a time when traffic is often light but visibility can still be limited. West Lathrop Road is a major corridor in Manteca, and police responded to the 800 block after the pedestrian was reported down.
Emergency crews transported the woman to the hospital, but she did not survive. Police did not release her name in the information provided Friday, and no details were given about any immediate search for the vehicle.
Because the driver left the scene, investigators are likely relying on witness accounts and any available evidence from nearby cameras or drivers in the area. Authorities have not said whether they have recovered the car involved.
Police ask anyone with information to call 209-456-8101
Manteca police are continuing to look for witnesses who may have seen the crash or the vehicle that fled. Even small details, such as the car’s color, direction of travel, or damage to the front end, could help investigators narrow the search.
Hit-and-run cases often depend on members of the public coming forward quickly, especially when the collision happens before sunrise and fewer people are outside. In this case, the department has made a direct appeal for information from anyone who was on West Lathrop Road around the time of the crash.
Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Manteca police at 209-456-8101.
