South LA hit-and-run crash kills 74-year-old woman, critically injures her friend

Authorities are investigating a hit-and-run crash near USC that left one woman dead and her friend fighting for her life.

The deadly incident happened shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday. The Los Angeles Police Department says a van struck two women as the driver was backing out of a property on Magnolia Avenue and Adams Boulevard.

One of the women, identified as 74-year-old Estela Melani Gomez, was killed.

Another woman, in her 80s, was taken to the hospital in critical condition, LAPD said. Family members of Gomez identified that woman as Maria Ortiz.

"Nobody deserves to die the way my mom died," said Gomez's daughter Maria Colmenares. "My brothers and sisters and the entire family were heartbroken and feel very sad. We are just showing the love and respect and support for my mom and to her friend."

On Friday, the tight-knit family of five brothers and sisters and their extended family continued to shed tears and support each other in their grief. They've set up a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral expenses.

"My mom was the best, best woman, human being, mother, grandmother, neighbor, citizen," said Gomez' daughter Patricia Escobedo. "She was always taking care of people and trying to help everybody, encouraging them to go to work, to go to school and to do their best."

Authorities say one person is in custody but did not provide further details. The incident remains under investigation.