Shelton, 42, was killed Wednesday in the 400 block of West First Street when a car driven by her friend and roommate, Brenda Monahan, accelerated onto the sidewalk.

The women's mutual friends said the incident was accidental, and said Monahan, who police interviewed and released at the crash scene, was devastated.

"They were like sisters," said Chas Seward, Monahan's boyfriend of nine years. "It was her best friend. It's a tragedy."

Monahan is the owner of Three French Hens, a Village boutique that is in the process of relocating to a vacant space in the city's Village Westshopping area.

Shelton, a real estate agent, was with Monahan on Wednesday to help her with the boutique's relocation, the women's friends said.

According to one of Shelton's co-workers at Coldwell Banker, the two women were inside Monahan's Infinity SUV at about 10:40 a.m. when it pulled into a parking space on the south side of First Street.

Shelton, who was in the front-passenger seat of the car, left the vehicle and walked around the front of the car toward the driver's side, Paul Piedrahita said.

While Shelton was in front of the car, it accelerated and drove over the curb, striking Shelton, Piedrahita said.

Piedrahita said witnesses told him Shelton hit a wall and fell to the ground aftershe was struck. Monahan drove east on the sidewalk for about 100 feet and crashed into a planter.

Shelton was pronounced dead at 11:21 a.m. at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, police said.

Piedrahita, who went to the hospital with Shelton, said doctors told him Shelton lost consciousness when she was hit and never regained it.

By Thursday afternoon, several bouquets of flowers and candles had been left in the area where Shelton was hit.

A hand-written message taped to the front door of Monahan's business said, "Our prayers are with you both and your families."

Piedrahita called Shelton the "princess" of Claremont. She had lived in the city for about 14 years, and her son graduated this year from Claremont High School.

Shelton lived in Seward and Monahan's Claremont home the past four months, Seward said.

"She was like a sister to us," he said. "We just can't believe it happened."

Monahan was sedated Thursday and "not in a condition to say anything" to a reporter, Seward said.

On Monahan's Facebook page, dozens of friends left supportive messages.

"I want you to know the Lord is by your side at this moment," Susan Brunasso said. "You are so loved and are in the prayers of so many including mine."

will.bigham@inlandnewspapers.com 
909-483-8553