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Elderly Woman Killed In Malden Hit-And-Run

MALDEN (CBS) --  A 71-year-old woman was struck and killed by a car while crossing a busy Malden street Sunday night.

Police officers were called to Pleasant Street shortly before 8 p.m. after receiving a report of an accident.

Officials say Yaai Chen was hit in front of an apartment building run by the Malden Housing Authority. Neighbors say she lived there for years.

Malden Fatal Hit-And-Run-1
A 71-year-old woman was struck and killed by a car in the Pleasant Street area on Dec. 27. (WBZ-TV)

She was rushed to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead, police said.

Vera Carrozza, who lived down the hall from Chen, remembered her neighbor fondly.

"She was a very sweet lady...brought me oranges all the time," she said.

Malden Fatal Hit-And-Run
Yaai Chen, killed in a hit-and-run in Malden Dec. 27. (WBZ-TV)

Building manager Barbara McGlinchy says Chen was a popular figure, even though her English was limited.

"She always had a smile on her face...said hello," she said. "And sadly, she lost her husband three years ago."

On Monday morning, police were able to find the car allegedly involved in the accident, and it has been taken into custody. It's unclear where the car was found in the city.

The suspect is being questioned, police say, but no arrests have been made.

The Middlesex District Attorney's Office is working with police on the investigation.

WBZ-TV's Bill Shields contributed to this report.

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