Post by Scumhunter on Oct 7, 2021 1:58:27 GMT -5
From vvdailypress.com:
The California Highway Patrol on Friday identified a suspected driver in connection to a hit-and-run crash from earlier this year that killed three girls in Lucerne Valley and severely injured a fourth.
In a press release, CHP officials said that a no-bail warrant had been issued for 18-year-old Santos Alejandro Jimenez-Cruz for three counts of vehicular homicide stemming from the crash that occurred in June.
Officials said Jimenez-Cruz is known to reside in both California and Mexico.
CHP spokesperson Michael Mumford told the Daily Press in an email Friday that Jimenez-Cruz possibly “fled to Mexico as early as the day following the collision, but this is unconfirmed.”
Friday's announcement marked the first significant update by the CHP in the case since the fatal hit-and-run occurred on June 5.
That night, the four girls were walking along Camp Rock Road, north of Rabbit Springs Road, when a white 2002 Chevrolet Silverado hit the children from behind.
Willow Sanchez, 11; Daytona Bronas, 12; and Sandra Mizer, 13; died at the scene. Their friend, Natalie Coe, suffered critical injuries and was flown to a trauma center.
Coe lost one of her legs and suffered injuries to her brain, kidney and liver, as well as pulmonary and heart problems.
Witnesses said a driver and passenger got out of the truck, observed the scene and ran into the desert.
CHP officials said officers were unable to locate the suspects but processed the vehicle and its contents as evidence.
“Over a period of two months, multiple search warrants were executed to recover forensic and digital evidence from the crash scene, and numerous interviews were conducted throughout the State,” the agency said.
Before Friday's announcement, several Lucerne Valley residents and community leaders — including some who claimed to know the driver's identity not long after the crash — expressed frustration with what they saw as a lack of communication from CHP regarding the investigation.
Christine Cordova, aunt and godmother of Sandra, said she found it strange that the CHP released the suspected driver's name publicly around the time that Lucerne Valley residents decided to stage a vigil and release the name themselves.
That vigil remains scheduled for Saturday in front of the CHP station in Victorville, according to Cordova.
Mumford said in an email that "limited information is being released as this is still an active investigation."
With regard to Jimenez-Cruz, Cordova didn’t mince words.
“Hell isn’t hot enough and prison isn’t good enough. Turn yourself in. Make it easier on yourself,” she told the Daily Press in a text message. “You are still a baby yourself, you can still show remorse.”
Anyone with information on the hit-and-run crash, or anyone who knows of Jimenez-Cruz’s whereabouts, is asked to contact Officer J. Rodriguez at the Victorville CHP Area office at 760-241-1186.
www.vvdailypress.com/story/news/crime/2021/10/01/chp-identifies-suspected-hit-and-run-driver-crash-killed-3-girls-lucerne-valley/5955895001/
Thoughts? As of this posting date (October 7th, 2021), it would appear that Jimemez-Cruz is still at large and a still active Justice for Dswn (the initials of the four girls) Facebook page.
I also wanted to let the creators of that page know I found out about this case from their postings to In Pursuit with John Walsh's Facebook page. (I hope they don't mind I used their photo of Santos since news articles were too tiny). I want to stress that we are only an unofficial fan page for In Pursuit and not connected to the show, I was simply so outraged upon reading it I wanted to post the case here to help spread publicity for the manhunt. However, I do know people from the show and although I can't promise anything, I will forward your case for consideration for future seasons should Santos unfortunately still be at large.
m.facebook.com/JusticeforDSWN?tsid=0.043423877783538956
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