Police identify, search for driver in fatal Taylorsville hit-and-run

TAYLORSVILLE — Police have identified and charged a woman in connection with a July 23 hit-and-run accident that killed a Taylorsville toddler.

Gloria Campos-Campos, 31, is not charged with the child's death, but was charged Thursday with leaving the scene of an accident involving death and obstructing justice, both third-degree felonies.

Investigators believe Campos-Campos was the driver of a white 1997 Plymouth van that struck and killed 1-year-old Vicsayra Maribel Garcia while she played near the curb outside her family's home.

Campos-Campos had sold some items to residents of Vicsayra's home near 800 West and Superior Peak Drive (4605 South) and just five minutes later, a neighbor also approached her to purchase some elotes, or corn on the cob, according to charges filed in the 3rd District Court on Thursday. Neighbors said Campos-Campos often sold elotes, tamales and shaved ice to residents in the area.

After finishing the sale, the woman pulled away from the curb and as she started to drive away, heard a noise and stopped, charges state. Prosecutors say Campos-Campos' daughter was sitting in the passenger seat of the van and told her mother she had just run over a girl.

The driver allegedly looked at the neighbor who had recently bought food, but the neighbor just shrugged her shoulders, and Campos-Campos drove away.

Charges state Campos-Campos heard a description of Vicsayra's death on the news that night, drove by the little girl's home and saw the memorial for Vicsayra.

Investigators believe Campos-Campos was frightened that she might be investigated for the girl's death and abandoned her van at 460 S. 1000 West.

A warrant has been filed for her arrest, and police say they think Campos-Campos, whose last known address was in Taylorsville, may have fled to California.

Police do not have a photograph of Campos-Campos or a description of any vehicle she may be driving now, said Taylorsville Police Lt. Rosie Rivera.

Anyone with information about Campos-Campos' whereabouts is asked to call police at 801-743-7000.

e-mail: jsmith@desnews.com; lgroves@desnews.com