San Diego

Oceanside Community Rattled After Violent Hit-and-Run

Esteysi Sanchez Izazaga allegedly crashed into the victim and drove for a mile with him lodged in the passenger seat.

An Oceanside community is rattled after a violent hit-and-run early Monday morning.

Oceanside police say Esteysi Sanchez Izazaga, who goes by Stacy Sanchez, allegedly drove for more than mile with the victim partially in her car after crashing into him.

One Oceanside family told NBC 7, they felt that they had to do something for him.

The Grimmet family started a makeshift memorial Monday night for the victim. They said they didn't know him but they don’t want him to be forgotten.

“What if it was my family?” said Junior Grimmet.

Police say Izazaga is suspected of driving under the influence during the time of the crash.

At approximately 6:20 a.m., witnesses reported a man walking on the sidewalk hit by a car on the 4000 block of Mission Avenue. Police say Izazaga allegedly drove for a mile with the victim’s body lodged in the front seat. The 29-year old then parked in a cul-de-sac and walked away before she was arrested.

Investigators say she was driving so fast, the man's leg detached from his body and flew through the back window, landing on the trunk of the car.

“It’s very heartbreaking. I can’t imagine what he went through,” said Oceanside resident Sarah Plant. “No matter what, we're all human."

Witness Edwin Esparza told NBC 7 he was there when Izazaga stopped and got out of the car.

“Kept walking away and I kept asking her ‘who's that man, who's that man’. She was crying and not really answering me,” Esparza said.

Izazaga was arrested for felony DUI, hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter.

Police say they do know the victim's identity but the Medical Examiner’s office has not released the information.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information is asked to call the Oceanside Police Department at (760) 435-4911.

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