A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded early Saturday morning in Yuma, where 21-year-old Mariella Acosta lost her life after being struck by a vehicle that fled the scene. The incident occurred around 4:45 a.m. on December 6, 2025, near the intersection of S. Avenue B and W. County 14th Street, a stretch of roadway that is often dark and quiet at that hour. Deputies from the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office arrived to find a devastating scene that has since left the community shaken and searching for answers.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Mariella had been walking along the side of the road when a passing vehicle hit her with enough force to cause fatal injuries. The driver did not stop, leaving Mariella alone in the moments after the collision. Emergency responders pronounced her deceased at the scene. Authorities have confirmed that next of kin notifications were made shortly afterward, leaving her family grieving an unimaginable loss.
Detectives are working to identify the vehicle involved and believe it may be a sedan or coupe. Investigators say the car likely has damage on the front passenger side, particularly near the headlamp area—damage that could be noticeable to anyone who sees it. This piece of information is now a crucial lead as law enforcement attempts to locate the driver responsible for the deadly hit-and-run. Officials are urging the public to remain alert and report any vehicle matching this description.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the investigation is still active and ongoing. Deputies, forensic teams, and investigators are reviewing evidence, gathering surveillance footage from nearby areas, and interviewing potential witnesses. Cases like this often depend heavily on community involvement, and authorities are hopeful that someone may have seen either the crash itself or the vehicle shortly before or after the incident.
Mariella Acosta’s death has deeply affected those who knew her and sparked concern across Yuma. A young woman with her entire future ahead of her, her life was cut short in an instant by a driver who chose not to stop. Community members and local leaders alike are encouraging residents to come forward with any information that might help bring justice to her family and hold the hit-and-run driver accountable.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at 928-783-4427. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 78-CRIME or through the Yuma County Sheriff’s website. Authorities stress that even the smallest detail could help solve this tragic case and bring closure to Mariella’s loved ones.
