The 59-year old Roa was killed Monday, Jan. 17, at about 6 p.m., as she crossed Veirs Mill Road at the bus stop at Ferrara Avenue, a few blocks west of Connecticut Avenue in the Wheaton-Glenmont area.
Sgt. Elijah Kinser, with the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, said investigators are seeking a light blue Passat with a missing left front lower grill, damage to the left front headlamp/fog lamp assembly and a missing driver’s side mirror.
Pieces of wreckage from the crash were displayed during the news conference. “There’s vehicle codes on those parts. We were able to look up those codes and figure out the make and model of that vehicle,” Kinser said.
Kinser said police have sent emails to local auto body and glass repair shops, describing the vehicle they are hoping to locate. Kinser acknowledged that the car could also be in D.C. or Virginia, or out of the region.
At this point, Kinser said, traffic cameras have not provided much assistance.
“We do have footage from the area of the collision. We can see the vehicle; we just can’t make out any identifying characters on the tags, or anything like that,” Kinser said.
Jordan spoke about Roa.
“She came here in 1997. She spoke no English, but she found she adopted her new nation, like many other immigrants, she found great love and understanding,” said Jordan, who spoke in English and Spanish.
“Though she didn’t have much money, she was very, very, very generous with her time,” said Jordan. Roa was a medical assistant, a certified nurse assistant and a certified geriatric assistant, according to a flyer handed out at the news conference.
Jordan encouraged witnesses to speak to police. “Regardless of your immigration status, come forward, for the greater good.”
With Roa’s family looking on, Jordan spoke to the driver, who police say slowed down, but left the scene.
“Please search your conscience. And after you’ve searched your conscience, please clean your conscience, come forward, and admit what you’ve done,” the pastor beseeched. “Come clean with yourself — life is too short.”
Police ask anyone with information about the suspect or crash to call the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 240-773-6620 or 240-773-TIPS or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 866-411-TIPS.
A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect or suspects. Callers can remain anonymous, according to police.
