The woman who was killed in La Jolla on Tuesday by an elderly driver was identified Wednesday as a vice president of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Melissa Bonney Ratcliff, 45, was unloading her car on the 7700 block of Girard Avenue when a 91-year-old female driver backing out of a parking space on the opposite side crossed the street and rammed into Ratcliff, pinning her between the two cars, according to San Diego police.
Ratcliff was transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla where she died, police said.
Ratcliff served as the vice president of marketing and events for the Chamber. In an email statement to members, former San Diego mayor and current Chamber president Jerry Sanders said the organization was “grief-stricken” over her loss.
“She was a well-respected and valued member of the Chamber team and will be missed by all of us,” he wrote. “We’re all deeply saddened by her loss and send our thoughts and prayers to her family and friends.”
Before working for the chamber, Ratcliff was the deputy director for Vice President Al Gore and press secretary for the Democratic National Committee. She was also the communication director for the Broad Foundation in Los Angeles.
