PHOENIX — A teen girl is dead after she was reportedly hit by a car in west Phoenix late Friday night.
Phoenix police say it happened near 27th Avenue and Indian School Road around 11 p.m.
When officers arrived, they found 16-year-old Paulina Vargas-Ochoa lying in the roadway.
She was transported to the hospital but later died from her injuries.
Police believe Vargas-Ochoa was crossing mid-block on 27th Avenue when she was hit.
The vehicle involved reportedly left the scene. They are still at large.
Phoenix police are asking anyone with information to call them at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS if they wish to remain anonymous.
REMEMBERING PAULINA
Anabel Ochoa tells us she is heartbroken that her daughter, Paulina, is gone.
“I wish it wasn’t true,” she said.
As she looks around her home, she sees signs of Paulina everywhere. As our interview started, two butterflies flew above us.
“There are butterflies. She’s here,” Anabel exclaimed.
Though Anabel knows Paulina will never come home.
“I wish this was a dream, but unfortunately that’s not the case,” she said in tears.
Anabel is now forced to plan a funeral instead of getting ready for her daughter’s senior year of high school.
“She was very friendly and full of life,” said Anabel, adding that her daughter would have been 17 on July 22.
Anabel says police found Paulina lying in the roadway less than a quarter mile away from her home, and across the street from Paulina’s high school (Bostrom High School).
A growing memorial, with candles and flowers, marks the spot where Paulina was struck.
“I want justice. I want the person responsible to turn themself in,” Anabel told ABC15.
The family is now trying to raise money for Paulina’s funeral expenses.
