Tahoe police still looking for driver involved in hit-and-run death

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - Police are still looking for the driver of a 1997 or newer Jeep Cherokee who was involved Sunday night in a hit-and-run accident that killed a 66-year-old woman.

Gia Orbeta, formerly a resident of Daly City, Calif., was found unconscious on the sidewalk beside Highway 50 just west of Pioneer Trail. Investigators said that Orbeta had a visible head injury and was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to Barton Memorial Hospital.

"This hit-and-run is just baffling," said South Lake Tahoe Police Sgt. Les Scott. "My belief is that the car was doing the speed limit or slower."

Investigators said they found automobile debris near Orbeta and believe the vehicle they are attempting to track down has right front-end damage.

Orbeta was described as 4-feet 11-inches tall, 120 pounds, short chestnut brown hair, wearing a dark blue corduroy jacket and gray stoned-washed denim jeans.

She was visiting South Lake Tahoe with several relatives who dropped her off at the Stateline casinos early Sunday night. Her family members reported her missing to Douglas County Sheriff's Office at 3:15 a.m. Once South Lake Tahoe police learned of the report they were able to identify Orbeta.

Anyone with any information regarding the incident is asked to call the police department at (530) 542-6100 or Secret Witness at (530) 541-6800.