Man who caused 2019 crash that killed pedestrian, 72, charged

April 22, 2020 Trevor Montgomery

UPDATED: Wednesday, April 22, 2 p.m.

See Original Story below.

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. — Authorities have arrested a man in connection with a fatal DUI-related traffic collision that killed a 72-year-old pedestrian in Moreno Valley last September, 2019.

Although the alleged drunk driver, Roben Gaby Noujaim, 34, of Moreno Valley, was originally arrested the night of last year’s deadly accident and later released pending further investigation, the man was rearrested after the District Attorney’s Office completed a review of the charges against him and issued a warrant for his arrest.

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Deputies from the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station, Moreno Valley Fire Department, and AMR medics were dispatched to the scene of the deadly accident at 7:45 p.m., after receiving reports of a major injury traffic collision, Riverside Sheriff’s Deputy Rafael Lopez later reported.

Although emergency personnel arrived at the scene within minutes, the pedestrian, who was later identified as Lorenzo Romero, 72, of Moreno Valley, sustained major injuries and passed away at the scene.

Based on their subsequent investigation, members of Moreno Valley PD’s Traffic Reconstruction Team arrested the driver, Roben Gaby Noujaim, 34, of Moreno Valley, on suspicion of DUI resulting in great bodily injury or death.

Although Noujaim was later released pending further investigation, Traffic Reconstruction Team members continued working on the case while gathering further information and details related to the fatal collision, according to Lopez.

“After an extensive effort, the case was submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office who recommended charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, inflicting great bodily injury in the commission of a felony and driving under the influence of drugs – causing injury, explained Lopez. “As a result, an arrest warrant was issued for the driver.”

On Wednesday, April 22, deputies located and re-arrested Noujaim and he was booked into Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on the aforementioned charges.

Online jail records indicate Noujaim remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bail or bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at the Riverside Hall Of Justice, April 24.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Moreno Valley Station’s Traffic Division at (951) 486-6700. Callers can refer to incident file number MV192530398 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

Original Story: Drunk driver kills 72-year-old Moreno Valley pedestrian

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. — Authorities are investigating a fatal crash after a driver struck an elderly pedestrian in Moreno Valley yesterday, Sept. 10.

A man was arrested after Tuesday’s crash, which happened in the area of Graham St. and Old Valley Dr., after deputies determined he was under the influence of alcohol. He was later released from custody, pending DA review of his charges.

Deputies from the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station, Moreno Valley Fire Department, and other emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene at 7:45 p.m., after receiving reports of a major injury traffic collision, deputies later reported.

Officials arrived at the scene within minutes and found a vehicle that had collided with a male pedestrian.

The pedestrian had sustained major injuries and passed away at the scene.

Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials have since identified the victim as Lorenzo Romero, 72, of Moreno Valley. A coroner’s release indicated the victim was pronounced deceased at 8:12 p.m.

During their subsequent investigation, members of Moreno Valley PD’s Traffic Reconstruction Team determined the driver, Roben Gaby Noujaim, 34, of Moreno Valley, was under the influence of alcohol and arrested him.

He was later booked into jail on suspicion of driving under the influence causing death or great bodily injury.

While deputies worked at the scene they called for the temporary closure of Graham St., between Sunnymead Blvd. and Eucalyptus Ave. The roadway was reopened several hours later.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Deputy D. Chavez at the Moreno Valley Station’s Traffic Division at (951) 486-6700. Callers can refer to incident file number MV192530398 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

This article sponsored by:

For more information, contact Bill Tyler at Century 21 Full Realty Service.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor 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, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with 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, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 29 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 16 grandchildren.