LA pastor and foster mom struck and killed by hit-and-run driver

Beloved LA pastor and foster mom, 61, is struck and killed by hit-and-run driver while giving out Christmas presents to needy children

  • Trina Newman, 61, a dedicated activist and minister, was tragically hit by a car while dropping off presents for local kids at a community center in South LA
  • The driver fled the scene, and Newman was pronounced dead at the scene
  • Newman was getting into her car after stepping off sidewalk when she was hit 
  • Police have not released a description of the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run, but the family is hoping security cameras in the area will help identify it
  • Pastor Kenneth Pitchford, a friend of Newman, stated that there were no words to adequately express the impact Newman had on the community

A retired minister and active member of the South Los Angeles community, who had been a foster mother to six children, has been killed in a hit-and-run incident. 

Trina Newman, 61, was struck by a car just after she had dropped off a load of gifts for underprivileged children at a community center.

The collision occurred at 88th Street and South Broadway around 3:25pm as Newman had stepped off the sidewalk and was getting into her car. 

She was pronounced dead shortly after the collision. 

Trina Newman, 61, a dedicated activist and minister, was tragically hit by a car while dropping off presents for local kids at a community center in South Los Angeles

The collision occurred at 88th Street and South Broadway around 3:25pm as Newman had stepped off the sidewalk and was getting into her car.

Friends and family, including her daughter Amarrie Nicasio and childhood friend Michele Reed, are devastated by the loss and are pleading for the driver to come forward. 

‘Everybody is heart-stricken for this moment,’ said Pastor Kenneth Pitchford who was friend of Newman’s to KTLA. ‘Words can’t describe what she means to this community.’ 

‘I still don’t believe it,’ said Nicasio to ABC 7. ‘I want to get another phone call from her. It hurts really bad. The day before Christmas. Christmas will never be the same.

‘I was trying to run through the yellow tape to her. I just couldn’t believe what I heard over the phone,’ she told KTLA. 

‘I still don’t believe it. I want to get another phone call from her. It hurts really bad. The day before Christmas. Christmas will never be the same,’ said daughter Amarrie Nicasio, center

Newman was getting into her car after stepping off sidewalk when she was hit

‘She helped everybody she gave back to the community in every way she could. She’s a good person. Whoever did this needs to step up and turn yourself in,’ she added.

Newman’s death was met with dismay by her childhood friend Reed. 

‘We’re all gonna go one day, but to go like this? It’s terrible. For a person to not stop and keep going?’ 

The suspect’s vehicle has been described as a gray SUV, possibly a Nissan. The family is hoping security cameras in the area will help identify it.

The police are currently investigating the incident and are asking anyone with information to contact them. 

Newman, 61, was struck by a car just after she had dropped off a load of gifts for underprivileged children at a community center.

Newman was a retired minister and active member of the South Los Angeles community

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