Santa Ana, California (December 19, 2025) — A pre-dawn pedestrian crash in Santa Ana claimed the life of Cecilia Janeth Sierra, 31, of Costa Mesa, after she was struck by two vehicles while crossing a roadway, according to the Santa Ana Police Department.
Incident Details: The collision occurred around 5:35 a.m. near the 3000 block of South Main Street. Authorities said Sierra was walking in the area when she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road. The initial impact knocked her to the ground. As she lay in the roadway, a second vehicle struck her and continued driving without stopping.
Santa Ana police officers and Orange County Fire Authority personnel responded after receiving multiple calls reporting the hit-and-run. Paramedics pronounced Sierra dead at the scene. Police said the driver of the first vehicle remained at the location and is cooperating with investigators. The second driver fled the scene and remains unidentified. Authorities have not released a description of the second vehicle.
Investigation: The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigation Unit is handling the investigation. In pedestrian fatalities involving multiple vehicles, investigators typically work to establish the sequence of impacts and determine which injuries were caused by each collision. This often involves analyzing physical evidence such as debris patterns, vehicle damage, roadway markings, and the victim’s final resting position.
Because the crash occurred in the early morning hours, investigators are also likely to examine lighting conditions, traffic flow, and visibility along South Main Street at that time. Locating the second vehicle will be a critical focus of the investigation, with detectives reviewing nearby surveillance footage, license plate reader data, and potential witness statements to identify the hit-and-run driver.
Legal Considerations: Pedestrian crashes are particularly hazardous, and the risk of injury increases significantly when a victim is struck by multiple vehicles. From a civil perspective, determining liability may involve evaluating the conduct of each driver involved, including whether reasonable care was exercised and whether either driver had an opportunity to avoid the collision.
For Sierra’s family, the investigation represents more than a procedural step. It is a search for answers and accountability after a sudden and devastating loss. In cases like this, surviving loved ones may consider pursuing a wrongful death claim to address funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the lasting emotional and financial impact of losing a young family member. When a driver flees the scene, that decision can compound the harm and deepen the trauma for those left behind.
I extend my sincere condolences to the Sierra family and loved ones as they grieve this tragic loss.
Source: KTLA News