Manhattan

Mom of 3 Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver While Crossing Manhattan Street: NYPD

Police officials identified the woman as Maria Villacres of Queens

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A 29-year-old mother of three children was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver early Sunday as she walked across a Manhattan street, NYPD officials said.

Police officials say Maria Christina Villacres was crossing Seventh Avenue in Chelsea around 5 a.m. at the time of the hit-and-run. She worked at the Whole Foods store in the neighborhood and was commuting home at the time, her brother Victor told News 4.

"Our whole family is devastated. My nephews, my brother-in-law... we just lost an angel, a loving sister, wife and mother... and we want justice," her brother said.

According to police, the driver made a u-turn on 23rd Street before speeding from the area.

First responders found Villacres unconscious and unresponsive before transporting her to Bellevue Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Police did not release a description of the vehicle that left the scene.

Neighbors found out about the deadly incident after police set up a digital billboard at the scene, alerting residents to the fatal hit-and-run. The message included a tip line to report any information related to the crime.

"It's just a very fast road. There's always cyclists and car going by all the time," said neighbor Mollie Long.

The NYPD's Highway Collision Investigation Squad is investigating the crime.

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