Deputies Arrest Driver Suspected in Holiday Hit-and-Run

The woman allegedly driving the white van that struck and killed a Monrovia grandmother as she visited San Clemente 4th of July has been arrested.

According to Jeff Hallock, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Kelly Michelle Wolfe, 45, of Dana Point, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and felony hit and run.

Marthann Demchuk, 76, of Monrovia was walking north on Pacific Coast Highway, south of the Camino Capistrano intersection, with her 13-year-old grandson at about 8:30 p.m. when authorities believe Wolfe struck her and then kept driving north.

A witness then followed Wolfe until deputies stopped the van in Dana Point, sheriff’s officials said after the incident.

Demchuk was pronounced dead at the scene, while her grandson suffered only minor injuries.

Wolfe has since been released. Court records show that this is her first serious allegation. She has charges pending for not leashing her dog.

Demchuk's loved ones have created a memorial page for her on Facebook.