San Diego

Forensic Sketch Helps Mother ID Victim of Deadly Hit-and-Run

Hours after the county Medical Examiner's (ME) office released a composite sketch of an unknown victim of a deadly hit-and-run earlier this month, the office got a tip leading to the victim's mother who was able to identify the victim as her daughter.

The ME's office released the sketch weeks after the woman was hit and killed by at least one hit-and-run driver while walking in westbound lanes of State Route 94 near 29th Avenue on July 8.

A forensic artist working with the ME's office put the sketch together based on photos the victim had in her purse at the time of her death.

Though they had several clues, the ME's office couldn't confirm her identity until Wednesday. 

Investigators say fingerprint evidence was analyzed and matched a woman who had previous contact with law enforcement, but they do not believe any of the information she gave officers at the time of that contact is actually true.

The ME's office said the woman's identity would be released after her family has had time to notify other relatives. The office did not say where the woman was from.

The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the crash.

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