Grandmother hospitalized after hit-and-run slams into her in San Fernando

A grandmother was hospitalized with severe injuries after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in San Fernando.

On May 20, Sonia Mikaelian, 62, was walking on a crosswalk at 5th Street and North Maclay Avenue around 6:20 p.m. when a driver in a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck made a left turn and slammed into the woman on the busy street. 

The suspect continued speeding away, leaving the injured woman lying on the road. 

“As soon as they hit her, they bolted down the street without any regard,” the victim’s son, Vrej Mikaelian, told KTLA’s Sara Welch.

Sonia was hospitalized with broken bones and other serious injuries and has a long road to recovery. 

Vrej said he’s thankful that a group of bystanders immediately rushed over to help his mother. As the driver remains at large, loved ones are doing everything they can to find them. 

Vrej said he was frustrated over the lack of updates from law enforcement on the investigation. “There is absolutely no response from them whatsoever,” he said. “Where is the investigation? Where is the reach out to the victims?”

Family members are asking anyone who may have dashcam or surveillance footage of the incident to come forward and provide the evidence to San Fernando police. 

They also noted the suspect’s truck has a utility rack and there appeared to be a passenger inside the vehicle.

Ultimately, the woman’s family said they hope the driver will do the right thing and turn themselves in.

“We personally will forgive you for what you have done,” Vrej said. “There are no consequences from us. Just turn yourself in.”

Anyone with information on the case can call the San Fernando Police Department at 818-898-1267.