SAN DIEGO – A community activist was painting over graffiti in a San Diego neighborhood when she was struck by a suspected drunk driver who police say was involved in a road rage altercation.
Police said 69-year-old Maruta Gardner died after being hit in the Mission Beach area Friday when the driver of a Toyota Corolla passed a Ford Mustang and went onto the shoulder. After striking Gardner, the driver sped off but was arrested a short distance away.
Police said the hit-and-run was the result of a road-rage altercation. The Toyota driver -- 23-year-old Jonathan Domingo Garcia -- was booked for investigation of vehicular manslaughter, DUI and hit and run.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Gardner was taken off life support Saturday.
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