Inset: Anjana Hari (GoFundMe). Background: The apartment complex where Hari was allegedly killed by another woman (Google Maps).
A 32-year-old California woman is accused of killing her friend, allegedly using her SUV to intentionally run down the other woman in the parking lot of the apartment complex where they lived before speeding away and crashing into several parked cars.
Anila Baby was taken into custody and charged with one count of murder in connection with the slaying of 35-year-old Anjana Hari, court records show.
According to a news release from the Milpitas Police Department, officers responded shortly after noon on Aug. 28 to an apartment complex in the 400 block of Dixon Landing Road after witnesses reported that a blue SUV had struck a pedestrian and fled.
When first responders arrived, they found Hari suffering from "significant injuries as a result of the collision." She was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Officers quickly searched the surrounding area and found a blue SUV matching the description in a nearby parking lot," the release states. "The vehicle had significant damage consistent with being involved in a collision. The driver, a 32-year-old Milpitas resident, was arrested in connection with the incident."
The driver was later identified as Baby.
Witnesses told investigators that Hari had been walking toward the blue Toyota Highlander shortly before she was struck. One witness said Hari "appeared to be smiling and seemed to be friendly with the driver," according to court records obtained by San Francisco ABC affiliate KGO. Another reportedly told investigators that the two women were "good friends."
Authorities said Baby accelerated from a stop and "intentionally" struck Hari, then continued through the parking lot, hitting three parked vehicles before leaving the complex, the Mercury News reported. A resident of the apartment complex reportedly told police they had to move out of the way as the SUV sped from the lot, but not before they were able to recognize Baby behind the wheel.
Police soon located the damaged Highlander at a Walgreens less than a mile away from the site of the crash, KGO reported. Baby was inside the vehicle and seemed "incoherent." She had reportedly suffered significant injuries and had "blood on her arms and legs," according to the station.
A traffic investigator later examined the crash scene and reportedly found no tire friction or skid marks, indicating that the SUV had not braked before striking Hari.
Authorities have not publicly identified a motive for the killing.
A GoFundMe for Hari's husband said her death was "an unimaginable loss."
Baby is being held at the Santa Clara County Main Jail without bond. She is scheduled for arraignment on Thursday.
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