San Diego

‘Who Does That?': Family of Woman Hurt in Hit-and-Run

Delores Odom, 59, is recovering at a local hospital after being struck by a hit-and-run driver on Feb. 23 at Genesee Avenue and Derrick Drive

San Diego Police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who struck a 59-year-old Clairemont woman in a crosswalk, leaving her hospitalized with a broken back.

Friends and family told NBC 7 Delores Odom was crossing Genesee Avenue at Derrick Drive just before 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. She was about three-quarters of the way across the street when she was hit by an unknown driver who fled the scene.

“I’m upset. You see she’s on the ground and you leave her there. Who does that?” said Brianna Odom, the victim’s daughter.

A longtime friend said Delores Odom walks everywhere and was going to a restaurant less than one-quarter of a mile from her home when she was struck.

“People love her and respect her because she is a loving caring person,” said Maritza Gates.

Just six days before the accident friends and family threw a surprise party to celebrate Delores Odom’s 59th birthday. Now, those same people are visiting her in the hospital. 

Her family said that once Delores Odom fights off a fever, doctors will fuse two vertebrae. She has a long way to go in her recovery.

Meanwhile, friends and family are looking for a good Samaritan who helped Odom immediately after she was hit. He was able to stabilize her and waited with Odom until paramedics arrived.

“He’s an Angel. I want to reward him. I want him to see my mom. I want to give him a hug because he’s amazing and I’m so grateful for what he did because she could be gone if he wasn’t there,” said Brianna Odom. “Someone else could have hit her again.”

Right now, San Diego police are still investigating the case and can only say they believe the suspect was a white man in his 60’s with gray hair, driving a dark-colored sedan.

“I would like this person to do the right thing. Be responsible and come forward. This would be hard to live with knowing that you hurt somebody,” said Gates.

Friends and family have set up a Go Fund Me Page. It can be found here.

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