The driver remained at the scene as investigators worked to determine how an SUV struck a woman and 4-year-old child.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento police are investigating what caused an SUV to strike a woman and a 4-year-old child near Las Palmas Elementary School, killing the woman and sending the child to a hospital with minor injuries.
The collision was reported shortly before 3:15 p.m. Sunday in the 500 block of Las Palmas Avenue. Officers responding to a report of a vehicle hitting pedestrians found both victims injured, according to police. The woman was hospitalized with major injuries and later died.
The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office later identified the woman as Maria Araceli Pena, 48, of Sacramento. Authorities said the child suffered minor injuries and was expected to recover. Officials have not released the child’s name.
Police said the SUV and its driver remained at the scene after the collision. No arrest or charge had been announced as of Wednesday, and investigators had not publicly assigned fault. Authorities also had not released the driver’s identity.
The location of the collision has drawn attention because witnesses said it happened near a grassy area used during youth soccer games. Local news reports placed the crash near Las Palmas Elementary School, and a soccer game scheduled for later Sunday was canceled after the emergency response.
Police have not explained how the SUV reached the area where Pena and the child were struck. Investigators have not publicly disclosed the vehicle’s speed, direction of travel or what happened immediately before impact. Officials also have not said whether any traffic violation contributed to the collision.
Those unanswered questions remain central to the investigation. The driver’s decision to remain at the scene has been confirmed by police, but authorities have not released findings about possible impairment, distraction or another cause. No conclusion about those factors has been announced.
The case began as a serious-injury investigation before police confirmed that Pena died at the hospital. The child’s injuries were consistently described as minor in initial reports, and later reporting indicated the child was expected to recover.
Police have not announced when the investigation could be completed or whether additional findings will be released. Until investigators determine how the SUV struck the pedestrians, the cause of the fatal collision remains unresolved.
Author note: Last updated October 28, 2026.