STAFF REPORTS

Photo Caption: The Perez twins and Andrea Gonzales (Photo Courtesy: Facebook)

Santa Ana – On Halloween evening, when most youngsters look forward to costumes, candy and fun, real terror struck when three 13-year old girls were killed crossing the street while trick-or-treating.

On Fri., Oct. 31, at about 6:45 p.m. in the 1400 block of E. Fairhaven Avenue, twins Lexi and Lexandra Perez, and their friend, Andrea Gonzales, were walking in a crosswalk when a Honda CRV struck and killed them, and fled the scene.

Captain Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department stated, “Witnesses say the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed. I didn’t see any skid marks, so it doesn’t appear they slowed down whatsoever. They left these three young women laying in the street, and left without calling, without stopping, without rendering aid. It’s hard to even fathom doing that.”

It is reported that a witness followed the Honda to a strip mall not far from the crime scene and watched a male driver and passengers once again flee the scene.

On Sun., Nov. 2 the Santa Ana Police Department issued a news release stating that multiple arrests had been made in connection to these hit and run deaths. Allegedly at fault, is Jaquinn Ramone Bell, 31, who was found at a Motel 6 in the City of Stanton. Bell – who reportedly has a criminal history dating back to 2009 – was charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving on a suspended license, and fleeing the scene of a crime. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 16, and faces a maximum sentence of 17 years if convicted.

It is reported that Bell had two children with him when he struck the girls in the crosswalk, and then abandoned his vehicle. Other members of Bell’s family were also arrested and then released on Nov. 2.