Tag Archives: Hit and Run Fatality

Hit and Run kills Bicyclist

Staff Reports

Rancho Cucamonga- On August 19, Detectives of the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff’s Station attempted to serve a warrant for a domestic case that involved a man named Eric Tafoya.

The detectives believed Tafoya would visit a relative’s home at the 11000 block of Benton Ct in Loma Linda. Once they arrived, they observed Tafoya leave the residence and leave in his vehicle. Detectives initiated a traffic stop, where he failed to yield to authority.

According to SBSD, “Tafoya was traveling westbound on Barton Rd. when he collided with a bicyclist, and then continued driving. He then crashed into a van and bailed out of the vehicle and fled. After some time, the detectives found the suspect in the remote area hiding inside of a shed. Tafoya had been taken into custody without any further incidents.

However, the victim/bicyclist was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center for treatment of major injuries. The SBSD also states, “At approximately 12:18 p.m. the victim died from the injuries sustained in the collision.”

The investigation was conducted by the Region I Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT).

The suspect, Eric Tafoya, was booked for Murder and the active warrant at West Valley Detention Center.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Region I Major Accident Investigation Team at (909) 918-2305. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may also leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com

 

Santa Ana: Halloween Hit And Run Kills 3 OC Girls

STAFF REPORTS

halloween-victimes-hit-and-run

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.

EASTVALE: Troy Davids Case Gets National Attention

A "White Ghost Bike" marks the intersection where Troy Davids was killed last month. Photo: Jennifer Madrigal

A “White Ghost Bike” marks the intersection where Troy Davids was killed last month. Photo: Jennifer Madrigal


By Jennifer Madrigal
Eastvale – Troy Davids was a young man who had his whole life in front of him, until the tragic night when a suspected driver of a black sedan struck and killed him as he rode his bike home from work on April 25. The car sped off, and was last reported turning southbound on Scholar Way. According to a police report, witnesses said the driver didn’t even stop. Davids was transported to the local Ontario Kaiser hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Only 21-years old, and Troy’s life was over, just like that, just after midnight, alone.
It’s been over a month and although to some it may seem that the case hasn’t progressed much, police have been actively working this case. Eastvale Police Department’s Lt. Mike Yates says, “We have been actively investigating this case from the moment it occurred and have examined many leads. Our investigation has revealed that there was a tan Chevrolet Suburban that may have possibly witnessed the accident and we are hoping that by handing out flyers and getting the public more involved this Good Samaritan will come forward with possible information.”
According to a press release, on Thurs., May 29, the Eastvale Police Department’s Traffic Division, with the assistance of the Citizen Volunteers, reached out to the public by handing out flyers to passing motorists at the intersection of Limonite and Hamner avenues. The flyers provided a brief summary of a fatal hit and run traffic collision in the hopes of identifying possible witnesses. At the conclusion of the public outreach, five citizens came forward and provided information to Traffic Investigators about the case.
The Eastvale Police Department has also assigned a full-time traffic officer to this case and the officer has actively been following up on the many leads that have come in since the flyers were passed out.
Residents, still shocked and saddened by the hit and run, have contacted various news outlets in hopes of getting the story picked up nationally. There has been some success, and recently several news vans were seen near the Limonite/Hamner intersection sharing Troy Davids tragic story. Eastvale Chief of Police, Jason Horton, Lt. Mike Yates and Troy Davids’ parents also held a news conference urging anyone with information to come forward.
The Eastvale Police Department is continuing its investigation into this incident and will pursue any and all leads regarding this crime. If you have information concerning this hit-and-run tragedy, please call (951) 955-2600.