Mother killed in hit-and-run crash with car full of Christmas presents, family says

PEORIA, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) - An Arizona family woke up to shocking news of their mother being killed in a hit-and-run crash days before Christmas.

KPHO reports Nichole Cortez was killed Monday in a hit-and-run crash on the Loop 101 off-ramp at Peoria Avenue with the driver responsible still on the run.

“That’s what hurts the most. This person just drove off like she was just a piece of trash,” Anthony Cortez, Nichole Cortez’s father, said.

Anthony Cortez said he feels empty this Christmas after losing his daughter.

“It’s totally affected our family. And especially at Christmas time. It’s making it very difficult to try to do Christmas, we’re just days away,” he said.

The father said his daughter was coming home from her job in cleaning services.

“The car overheated. She tried to pull over but didn’t exactly make it as the car was kind of in the middle of the lane,” Anthony Cortez said. “She got out with the door open, and somebody came by and hit the other side that hit her. She flew about 50 feet.”

Nichole Cortez’s father said she picked up extra night shifts to pay for gifts for her five kids.

“She was so stressed out about getting her children Christmas presents. We’re all kind of struggling a bit. So, she’s been trying to earn extra money,” Anthony Cortez said.

Anthony Cortez said his daughter loved her kids and had recently gone shopping.

“Presents were found in her car. She loved her children. She was a single mom, trying to do her best for her children. She would do anything for anybody,” Anthony Cortez said.

According to authorities, the car that left Monday’s scene is described as a 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger with damage to its front.

Anthony Cortez is hoping someone does the right thing and turns themselves in, saying justice will help the family feel closure.

“I really want them to be caught. How someone can just hit somebody on the side of the road and leave them is beyond me,” he said. “I’m hoping and praying that she [Nichole] wasn’t on the side of the road suffering.”

The family said they have set up a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral expenses.

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