A 69-year-old woman was struck and killed by a trash truck while attempting to cross a street in Santa Ana on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Officers responded around 7:56 a.m., to multiple reports regarding a collision near Shelton and Bishop streets, according to the Santa Ana Police Department.
Orange County Fire Authority paramedics were also dispatched to the location, where they found the victim and pronounced her dead at the scene. She was later identified by authorities as Maria Rubalcava de Ruesga of Santa Ana.
A preliminary investigation found the Republic Services trash truck was heading eastbound on Bishop Street moments before making a right turn onto South Shelton Street at a roundabout, causing the truck to subsequently strike Rubalcava de Ruesga as she was crossing the street, police said.
The driver remained at the scene during the investigation and was cooperating with detectives, police said.
The Santa Ana Unified School District activated a crisis team to support the school community following the collision, which happened near an elementary school in the district.
“The accident occurred near Pio Pico Elementary School when families and children were in the area. The city has contacted Santa Ana Unified School District’s superintendent and trustee to offer any assistance the city can provide,” a statement from the city of Santa Ana said.
Anyone with information regarding the collision was urged to call Detective K. Catlin at 714-245-8224 or the Santa Ana Police Department Traffic Division at 714-245-8200.
Southern California News Group reporter Sierra van der Brug contributed to this story.