The car that , then fled, was described by police Tuesday as a black 2009 or 2010 Toyota Corolla S.
Investigators were able to determine the make and model based on evidence left at the scene and reports from witnesses, according to Santa Monica Police Sgt. Richard Lewis.
He noted that the Toyota should have damage to the left front grill, hood and driver-side headlight.
Claire Rose was hit shortly after midnight July 16 as she crossed Wilshire Boulevard on 21st Street.
A witness who commented on an earlier Patch story about the tragic hit-and-run said the car crashed into Rose with such force it sounded as if two vehicles had collided.
TC: This poor sweet woman was thrown with such force, I knew as I approached I was looking upon lifeless body, strewn in the street, not belonging there. This crime is infuriating, I keep replaying the sound in my head, and I know that the vehicle must have been going extremely fast
Another witness commented that the car was speeding upwards of 60 mph:
Charles Tobias: It was so fast and sudden, and she traveled almost 40 feet from impact of the east crosswalk then landed face down right at the center median of the west crosswalk 10 feet from me. By that time, the car was gone into the darkness.
Friends said had just returned home from an impromptu birthday celebration.
"She was very vivacious but also incredibly down to earth," said friend Paul Forte during a candle light vigil the next night.
Forte and friends have desperately sought the public's help finding the driver.
Anyone with information was asked to contact investigators Chris Dawson or Jason Olson at (310) 458-8954, Sgt. Phillbo Rubish at (310) 458-8950 or the Santa Monica Police Department's 24/7 line at (310) 458-8495.
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