SANTA ANA, CA – A 69-year-old woman died Wednesday morning after being struck by a garbage truck while crossing a residential street in Santa Ana, raising concern among families in the nearby school zone.
The fatal pedestrian accident in Santa Ana occurred shortly before 8:00 a.m. at the intersection of Shelton Street and Bishop Street, just steps from Pio Pico Elementary School, according to the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD).
When officers arrived, they found that a trash collection truck had hit a pedestrian. Paramedics from the Orange County Fire Authority pronounced the woman dead at the scene. She was identified as María Rubalcava de Ruesga, a Santa Ana resident.
According to the preliminary investigation, the garbage truck was traveling eastbound on Bishop Street and made a right turn onto Shelton Street at the roundabout. During that turn, the truck struck the woman as she crossed the street.
The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with traffic investigators.
The collision occurred so close to an elementary school, local officials expressed concern. The City of Santa Ana released a statement offering condolences and confirming that it has contacted leaders with the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) to provide support.
SAPD’s Collision Investigation Unit continues to gather information and is asking anyone who witnessed the incident to call (714) 245-8224.
