Officials seek help identifying Coachella hit and run suspect

COACHELLA – Riverside County Sheriff’s officials are seeking the public’s help in identifying a driver who struck and killed a 56-year-old female pedestrian in an early-morning, hit-and-run traffic collision, that occurred Wednesday, June 8. The hit-and-run happened in the area of Avenue 48 and Grapefruit Boulevard, in Coachella.

At about 12:30 a.m., deputies from the Riverside Sheriff’s Coachella Police Station and other emergency first responders rushed to the scene of the fatal accident after Riverside County emergency communications dispatchers received a 911 call regarding the hit-and-run.

When deputies arrived, they discovered the victim had already succumbed to her injuries and she was pronounced dead upon their arrival, according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Tim White. Her name has not been released pending notification of her family.

Deputies conducted an investigation that determined the woman was struck by a pickup truck as she was crossing the roadway. The driver of the truck, described only as a male, fled the scene without stopping or offering assistance to the fatally injured victim, White explained.

“It is believed the suspect vehicle sustained front-end damage as a result of the collision,” White said. Due to darkness, there was no other information available about the suspect or his vehicle.

Anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run or who may have witnessed the incident is encouraged to call Deputy Maxwell of the Coachella Police Department at (760) 863-8990. Information can also be reported anonymously by calling Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP (7867). Callers can refer to incident file number Y161600003. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

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