Genieva Vega was walking her dog, Baxter, to the grocery store around 7 p.m. on Oct. 24 when a vehicle struck both of them as they crossed the street near 800 East Missouri Avenue, according to the Phoenix Police Department. Vega was taken to a hospital, where she died of her injuries.

Investigators are looking for a gold champagne or tan Toyota Sienna van. Sgt. Sheree Lee of the Phoenix Police Department said the department is asking anyone who may have seen the vehicle or has information about the crash to come forward.

Joseph Vega, the victim's brother, said he learned of the collision when police called him late that night. He initially thought the call was a scam because the questions were so specific, he said. He works in critical care and understood immediately what the hospital transfer meant.

"I know that that's one of the last barriers between life and death," he said. "But that's usually the last place people see."

He described the news as a complete shock that left him feeling paralyzed. In the days since, he has been trying to piece together what happened while coping with the loss, and he said he has been half-expecting to run into his sister while visiting the city.

"The last time I was here, we were visiting her with my friends and with my family, and she was showing me all her cool spots to be around and all the hiking spots, all the food spots," he said. "And just being here the past, like, week and a half, I've been just getting the sense that I'm going to see her."

Asked what he would say to the driver or to anyone who knows who was behind the wheel, Joseph Vega was direct.

"Come clean and just make sure that areas like this don't happen again," he said.

Tips can be reported to the Phoenix Police Department or to Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS, or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish speakers. Information can also be submitted online at silentwitness.org.

Police and the family are hoping someone in the community recognizes the vehicle and helps bring the case to a resolution.