PHOENIX, AZ — Phoenix police are asking for help finding the driver involved in a deadly hit-and-run that killed 35-year-old Genieve Vega and her dog, Baxter, last month. Investigators say Vega was crossing near Missouri Avenue and 8th Place on Oct. 24 when she was struck and killed.

Police believe the vehicle was a champagne-colored Toyota Sienna minivan that left the area eastbound on Missouri Avenue after the crash. Loved ones say Vega was walking home with groceries shortly before 7 p.m. when the collision happened, just blocks from her home.

Friends remember Vega as a caregiver known as G

Vega worked as a physical therapist in the Valley, helping patients regain mobility and independence. Her coworkers and friends described her as someone who spent her days helping other people live better, more active lives.

Jonathan Glover, a coworker, said that caring for others was central to who she was. Friends also said she was simply known as “G,” the name she used when introducing herself and one that stuck with the people who knew her best.

Witnesses say the driver fled within seconds

Abigail Rickert was nearby when the crash happened and said she heard the impact before rushing to help. She called 911 and found that the vehicle was already gone by the time she reached Vega, describing how little time passed between the collision and the driver’s escape.

Police have not said whether they have identified a suspect, but they are focusing on the champagne-colored Toyota Sienna. Investigators are asking anyone who saw the crash, the vehicle, or anything unusual in the area that night to come forward with information.

Family and friends ask body shops and residents to check for clues

Vega’s loved ones are urging the public to look for possible signs of damage to a minivan that matches the description. Glover asked body shops and anyone who may have noticed a champagne-colored minivan to share what they know with investigators.

That appeal reflects the limited but specific lead police have released so far. Because the vehicle fled eastbound after the crash, detectives appear to be working to trace where it went afterward and whether repair work may help identify the driver.

Vega's organ donation carried her legacy forward

Even as her family and friends grieve, they say Vega continued helping others through organ donation. Her heart, liver and kidneys were donated after her death, a detail friends said brings them some comfort during an otherwise devastating loss.

Williams said knowing Vega’s organs were able to help other people makes the loss easier to endure. Her friends described that gift as consistent with the way she lived, serving others during her career and then helping save lives after her death.

How to contact Phoenix police and Silent Witness

Phoenix police are asking anyone with information about the crash or the suspected Toyota Sienna to contact investigators. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS, or 480-948-6377.

A $2,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest. Police have not released additional details about the driver, and the family’s public plea is focused on finding someone who may know where the minivan is now.