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Indianapolis family seeks justice after mother is killed in hit-and-run

Posted at 7:59 PM, Aug 28, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-28 19:59:07-04

INDIANAPOLIS — A 62-year-old woman was leaving her mobile home park on Brookeville Road in Indianapolis, merely walking down to the gas station, when she was hit by a vehicle and left to die in the road.

Now, Pamela Bonilla's family is hoping for tips that can lead to an arrest in the case that ripped their mother from them just three weeks ago.

"My mom was our rock," Appolonia Bonilla, the second youngest of Pamela's six children, said. "She kept everybody in line, all of us together, and now that she's gone I don't know what to do."

On the evening of Saturday, Aug. 3 Appolonia went to get fast food, and when she returned home around 8:30 p.m. she saw her mother's body lying in the road.

"I saw a person half covered, but I knew from the pants and the feet that was my mom," Appolonia said. "My heart hit to my stomach. I felt sick."

Police released a photo of the vehicle that hit Pamela. It's a black GMC Envoy with tinted windows that was last seen driving northbound on Arlington Avenue from Brookeville Road.

"Please come forward. This could have been your mother; it could've been your grandmother, someone close to you. You would want someone to come forward with it," Appolonia said. "I pray to God [the] police work hard and not give up on my mom here; I don't want them to give up on her."

Metro police hit-and-run detectives say there aren't any updates on the case at this time.

Family members are offering a $500 reward for information.

They plan to hold another vigil Saturday at 7 p.m. at Christian Park on the east side.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.

What you should do if you ever witness a hit-and-run, according to police:

  • Try to remember the color, make, and model of the vehicle.
  • Look for anything unique. Like, if the vehicle has chrome rims or a missing hubcap
  • Of course, a plate number would be ideal.
  • Try to get a description of the driver and the direction they are traveling.
  • Police do not encourage people to follow hit-and-run vehicles.