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SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Rosalia Ortega killed in Santa Maria hit-and-run crash on Sunday

  • By JOHN ESHER
  • News, Breaking News
  • Posted: October 31, 2024 EDT
  • Updated: October 31, 2024 01:43 AM EDT

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Deadly Oct. 13 collision happened along West Cypress Street

SANTA MARIA, CA, (October 13, 2024) - A toddler from Santa Maria lost her life as a result of being hit by a vehicle whose driver, authorities say, fled the scene and has yet to be apprehended.

Hit and Run posterA Sunday afternoon crash involving a hit-and-run driver claimed the life of a one-year-old Santa Maria resident, Rosalia Ortega, police said, adding a search is ongoing to find the suspect.

According to officials, Rosalia Ortega, age 1, was struck on Oct. 13 around 1 p.m. in the 600 block of West Cypress Street in Santa Maria. 

Tragically, Ortega died from injuries at Marian Regional Medical Center.

The driver involved in the crash—identified as 35-year-old Federico Garcia Galvez—is being sought for felony hit-and-run causing injury or death. Anyone with information about the Santa Maria resident was urged to contact Officer Robles at 805.928.3781, ext. 2315.

This is an ongoing investigation.

CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED

Despite every warning, every memorial, every death, too many drivers keep going, knowing they’ve hit someone. 

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), hit-and-run deaths in the U.S. have increased an average of 7.2% each year since 2009.

“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a hit-and-run case and prove negligence,” said Candice Bond, an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney and a Managing Partner of Bond Legal. 

“Road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must thoroughly be examined. These procedures are necessary for helping those who have lost a loved one receive the justice that they deserve.”

WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM

Pending the investigation, the family of Rosalia Ortega may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident such as this incident.

“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Bond, a national legal analyst for Newsline. 

“A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that the victim's legal rights and best interests are protected.”


If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed at the hands of a hit-and-run driver and would like a no-cost consultation, our national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation to guide you.

(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).

Tags: Latest News, Non Commercial, Pedestrian Accident, California, 600 block of West Cypress St., Santa Maria

The staff of Newsline would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to Rosalia Ortega and family

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