ARCADIA >> Authorities have released the identity of a 77-year-old Arcadia woman who was killed by an alleged drunken, hit-and-run driver while crossing Baldwin Avenue last week.
Fang Qiaorui died at a hospital following the collision, which took place about 9:45 p.m. on Dec. 14 on Baldwin Avenue near Arcadia Avenue, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said. An autopsy was pending.
She was struck by a Ford Explorer Sport Trac pickup truck, which fled the scene after striking her, Arcadia police Sgt. Dan Crowther said.
But witnesses provided police with a description of the truck, including its license plate number. Investigators quickly found and arrested Alex Danilo Cerna, 51, at his home in Pasadena, the sergeant said.
Cerna pleaded not guilty to charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and hit-and-run on Friday in the Pasadena branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court, records show.
According to court and booking records, Cerna was released from custody Monday after posting $100,000 bail. He’s schedule to return to court Jan. 12 for a preliminary hearing setting.