Great grandmother killed by hit-and-run driver in Portage

PORTAGE, Ind. (WLS) -- A family is outraged after a 93-year-old great grandmother was struck and killed near a busy intersection in Portage, Indiana.

Police said she was looking for help when her car got stuck on the side of the road. Now, investigators are looking for the hit-and-run driver who killed her.

Evelyn Mayden was ready to ring in the new year with her family. She planned to cook and have everyone over for homemade potato soup on New Year's Day. She had plenty of family as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

"She did have a lot of love to give and someone took that away," said Shelly Mayden, her granddaughter. "At 93, it's not what should have happened to her. She should have just went peacefully in her sleep instead of someone hitting her and having absolutely no regard, no regard and kept going."

It happened at the intersection of U.S. 6 and Willowcreek Road in Portage. Witnesses told police Mayden was driving when her car got stuck on a concrete barrier. She got out and tried to walk across Willowcreek towards Walgreens when a large, dark-colored SUV swiped her. Now, her family is asking people who have information to come forward.

"Hope they have the guts to call," Mayden said. "If you are just scared, now is the time to come forward, and say, 'Hey I did this, and I'm sorry.'"

Mayden's granddaughters flipped through pictures one day after her death, although it's emotionally difficult.

"I know you're supposed to forgive, sometimes you really can't. And that's just how I feel right now," Mayden said.

They are grateful that people stopped at the scene to help their grandma. Although she was injured, she was speaking.

"It means a lot that those people cared enough to stay," Mayden said.

After being airlifted to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Mayden was pronounced dead five hours later.

"She's up in heaven yelling at Grandpa right now," Mayden said. "That's what she did the best."

The black or dark-colored SUV may have damage on the front passenger side of the vehicle. The passenger mirror may also be damaged.

The family wanted to speak out because they hope someone out there can help solve this case.