Dahlene Martin-Lovelace Killed in DUI Collision on East Merced Avenue [West Covina, CA]

56-Year-Old West Covina Woman Dies after Struck by Hit-and-Run Driver near Neff Avenue, Dominic Orozco Arrested

 
WEST COVINA, CA (June 7, 2018) – A woman who was struck on Thursday morning on East Merced Avenue, by a driver allegedly under the influence of marijuana, died this weekend. She was identified by the coroner’s office as 56-year-old Dahlene Martin-Lovelace of West Covina.
 
According to the West Covina Police Department, the incident took place shortly before 5:35 AM. Martin-Lovelace was walking on the 1100 block of East Merced Avenue when she was struck by a vehicle.
 
The vehicle involved reportedly fled the scene and headed west on Merced Avenue, eventually slamming into a retaining wall and coming to a rest in the front yard of a home on the corner of South Neff Avenue and East Merced Avenue.
 
Martin-Lovelace was rushed to the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center with serious injuries, and was later pronounced dead on Saturday afternoon. The driver of the vehicle, 21-year-old Dominic Orozco of La Puente, was also hospitalized after suffering minor injuries.
 
The police waited for Orozco to recover before arresting him on suspicion of felony hit-and-run resulting in death or serious injury to another person and on suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana. His bail was set at $100,000, as per online arrest records. He was arraigned on Monday and pleaded not guilty to a felony count of hit-and-run, and will return to the Pomona Superior Court on July 11th for a hearing.
 
No additional information has been released to the public at this time.

---

Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Dahlene Martin-Lovelace. May she rest in peace.

---

If you have lost a loved one in a tragic hit-and-run pedestrian collision, contact the experienced wrongful death lawyers at Sweet Law Group. We understand what you and your family are going through and are here to help. With over 40 years in the field, our attorneys and professional legal team know what it takes to win your case and achieve the justice and compensation that is owed. Call (800) 203-3061 today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a lawyer near you. We are also available through email, text message, and online chat.