Det. Amber Leist, 41, was fatally struck by a car Sunday morning after helping a woman who stumbled to the ground as she was crossing the street. (Photo: Robert P. Boese III, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department)

A Los Angeles sheriff’s detective was killed off duty as she was helping a woman cross the street.

Detective Amber Leist, 41, was fatally struck by a car Sunday morning after helping a woman who stumbled to the ground as she was crossing the street.

After seeing her fall, Leist parked her car and rushed over to help, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva in a press conference Sunday evening. She was hit by another vehicle while returning to her car.

The unidentified driver of the other vehicle, said Cmdr. Mark Reina, stopped to render aid and assist Leist. Leist was transported to a hospital, where she died, Villanueva said.

“She was an outstanding detective who would lead by example and she definitely led by example through her act of kindness,” Villanueva said in the conference, adding that the department considered this an on-duty death.

He told KTTV-TV that she actually helped “an old lady cross the street,” which cost her her life.

Leist was a 12-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, spending the last five years at the West Hollywood station.

Leist’s death is under investigation, said Reina, though it is being investigated as an accident. The driver in the other vehicle is collaborating with officials, he said.

She leaves behind her parents and two sons, 20 and 17, said Villanueva. The older son is currently serving in the U.S. Navy.

Follow Joshua Bote on Twitter: @joshua_bote

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