MORENO VALLEY: Citizens detain hit and run driver who crashed into 4 cars
Deputies and other sheriff’s officials discuss the multiple hit and run collisions. William Hayes photo
William Hayes contributed to this report
Deputies inspect the suspect’s wrecked vehicle after citizens detained the driver. William Hayes photo
MORENO VALLEY – Citizens were forced to detain an alleged hit and run suspect after he smashed into four other cars in two separate collisions Wednesday, Nov. 30.
The first collision happened shortly before 6 p.m., at the intersection of Heacock Street and John F. Kennedy Drive in Moreno Valley. The second occurred at the intersection of JFK Drive and Indian Street.
The alleged hit and run driver, who has not been publicly identified, was driving a white Toyota Camry when he collided with two vehicles at the intersection of Heacock Street and JFK Drive. The two vehicles he struck were described as a silver Chevrolet Impala and a white Dodge Neon. Both vehicles sustained minor rear-end damage.
After crashing into the first two cars, the suspect fled eastbound on JFK drive. He then collided head-on with a third car that was preparing to turn southbound from JFK Drive onto Indian Street. The third car the suspect crashed into was described as a silver, two-door Honda Accord. The Honda was forced backwards up onto a curb, where it nearly crashed into a brick wall.
Numerous sheriff’s officials responded to the hit and run collisions. William Hayes photo
After the third collision, the suspect’s car continued forward until it crashed into a black, four-door Honda Accord. The two Honda’s and the suspect’s Toyota all sustained major damage.
After the collision with the third and fourth cars, the suspect’s vehicle became disabled and could no longer continue. When his car could no longer be driven, other motorists and witnesses detained the man until deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Moreno Valley Police Station arrived.
The hit and run driver was treated at the scene by firefighter/paramedics and AMR medics before he was transported to Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley. His condition was listed as serious but stable.
AMR medics evaluated the other drivers involved in the multiple collisions at the two separate accident scenes. All declined medical treatment.
A 2-door, silver Honda Accord was struck head on by the fleeing suspect. William Hayes photo
Alcohol and/or drug intoxication have not been ruled out as contributing factors in the multiple collisions, which are being investigated by deputies from the Moreno Valley Police Station
JFK Drive was closed in both directions between Indian and Wintergreen Streets while deputies conducted their initial investigation into the collisions. The roadway was opened about 8 p.m.
Anyone who witnessed the collisions is encouraged to contact Moreno Valley Police officials at (951) 486-6700. Callers can remain anonymous.
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Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Personnel and Background Investigations and he finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.