Arrest made in fatal hit and run accident

Anaheim Police Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2014
Released by: Lt. Bob Dunn, (714) 497-6330

Subject: Arrest Made in Fatal Hit & Run

On November 1, 2014 at 9:10 p.m. Daniela Palacios, 44, of Anaheim was struck by a pick-up truck as she rode her bicycle near the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Magnolia Avenue in Anaheim.  After the collision, the pick-up fled the scene and the suspect remained at-large.  Palacios was transported to a local trauma center and succumbed to her injuries shortly after 1:00 a.m. on November 2, 2014.

Since the fatal hit and run, Anaheim Police Traffic Investigators have been working to locate the suspect vehicle and its driver.  With the assistance of Orange County Crime Stoppers, Junior Rigoberto Lopez, 30, of Buena Park was arrested this morning at the Anaheim Police Department.  He is suspected to be the driver of the vehicle that struck Palacios and he has been booked at our temporary detention facility for felony hit and run.  His bail is $50,000.

Lopez’s vehicle, a white 2013 Ford F-150 extra cab, has been seized as evidence.  Investigators are not seeking additional suspects.  The case will be presented to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.

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PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
425 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 765-1521 Fax: (714) 765-1554
Raul Quezada, Chief of Police

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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