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Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Child in Santa Ana

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A hit-and-run driver killed a 5-year-old girl Saturday and critically injured her 6-year-old sister and her mother.

The accident happened about 11 a.m. near the intersection of 17th St. and Spurgeon St. in Santa Ana. 33-year-old Jessica Louise Cowan, a Frazier Park resident, was driving a 2002 gold Lexus westbound on 17th St. Cowan ran a red light and struck 45-year-old Eloisa Madrigal, her 6-year-old daughter Grecia Meza, and her 5-year-old daughter Osmara Meza. The pedestrians were in a crosswalk.

Cowan fled the scene without stopping. According to witnesses, she was traveling at 60 mph. A driver who witnessed the accident followed Cowan and used her vehicle to block Cowan's car in.

The three pedestrians were thrown about 60 feet. The 5-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. The mother and 6-year-old both suffered major head trauma. They were transported to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. The mother is in extremely critical condition and the 6-year-old is in critical condition.

Cowan was arrested. She failed a field sobriety test. She was booked on suspicion of drunk driving, hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter. Officers found a canister of medical marijuana on her dashboard.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a hit-and-run driver or drunk driver, you should speak with a personal injury attorney to learn about your right to compensation. Long Beach personal injury attorneys Daniel McGee and Catherine Lerer are available 24/7 to provide a free consultation. We handle exclusively personal injury cases, and specialize in serious injury and wrongful death cases.