The search is on for the driver of a pickup truck that struck an elderly Hilmar woman Thursday night and then fled the scene.
Vitalina Coelho, 86, suffered moderate injuries from the collision and was taken to Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock for treatment.
Coelho was struck around 5:30 p.m. Thursday night while crossing Lander Avenue in Hilmar.
Coelho had been at the Dairyland Market. She walked to the sidewalk’s edge and checked for traffic in both directions. Once she saw it was clear she started to cross the road, the California Highway Patrol reported.
At the same time a pickup truck pulled out of the market’s parking lot and made a right turn onto Lander Avenue. It’s believed the driver of the truck did not see Coelho as it approached her.
Coelho reportedly heard a vehicle approaching her and turned to her left, which is when she was hit on her right side by the left side of the pickup truck.
Coelho fell onto the roadway and rolled several times, the CHP reported. She came to a rest in the two way left turn lane at Lander Avenue and First Street.
The pickup truck was last seen headed northbound on Lander Avenue.
The pickup truck was described as dark colored and possibly a Toyota Tundra.
The collision remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact CHP Officer Jason Schoonhoven at 356-2956 or 559-715-2565.