UPDATE: Woman Left For Dead On Roadside Killed Pedestrian Last Month, Police Say

9/27 UPDATE: The Riverside County Sheriff's Department announced today it is the lead agency on this case, but is being assisted by the California Highway Patrol. The sheriff's Central Homicide Unit is conducting an investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Investigator Gary Bowen at (951 )955-2777. Citizens may also submit an anonymous tip at the Sheriff's Homicide Tipline.

9/27 ORIGINAL POST: A Winchester woman left for dead by the road in French Valley was assaulted by someone, rather than struck by a hit-and-run driver, her family alleged Wednesday.

The allegation comes as a California Highway Patrol spokesman confirmed that the woman hit and killed a pedestrian last month.

Wanda McGlover of Winchester, 68, was found Sept. 21 on Brookridge Lane by family members after she did not return from her usual morning walk, according to investigators.

Brookridge Lane is off Washington Street near a park and housing tracts, in an unicorporated area of Winchester known as French Valley.

She suffered severe head trauma and died later at Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta.

Initial reports from CHP stated that McGlover's injuries were consistent with being struck by a vehicle but on Wednesday her family released information that the victim had been on the phone with her youngest daughter when an attack occurred.

According to a news release issued by the family, the youngest daughter heard someone grab her mother's cell phone as they spoke and McGlover screamed her daughter's name.

The family has called a news conference to discuss the case and to ask for the public's help in tracking down whomever mortally injured McGlover.

The daughter reportedly called her sister and brother -- with whom McGlover lived -- and also tried to call Temecula deputies but got an automated response.

A family member held McGlover's hand until medics arrived.

The family contends McGlover died of cardiac arrest, brought on by the trauma to her head.

Investigation Continues

Patch confirmed Wednesday with CHP that McGlover was involved in a fatal pedestrian accident the evening of Aug. 7 on Interstate 215 in Perris.

A 46-year-old Perris man was walking on the right shoulder of the southbound lanes just north of Highway 74, according to Riverside area CHP Sgt. Meeker.

McGlover was driving a 2010 Ford Flex at about 55-60 mph when for unknown reasons, the pedestrian walked into the far right lane and she hit him, Meeker said.

The pedestrian was struck down into freeway lanes and further impact caused him to suffer fatal injuries, according to Meeker.

McGlover's Death

Limited information is still being released about McGlover's fatal injuries suffered Sept. 21, about a block from her home.

The Temecula CHP office was on scene of the tragedy again yesterday afternoon. A few dozen authorities were combing an adjacent field.

"The coroner related that the injuries could be consistent with a motor vehicle collision," said Temecula area CHP Officer Nathan Baer. "No other leads to share right now."

As to whether the two fatal incidents could be related, Baer said: "No comment on that yet."