UPDATE: Victim of Hemet hit and run ID’d, suspect still sought
UPDATED: Monday, April 19, 12:30 p.m.
See Original Story below.
HEMET, Calif. — Officials have identified the victim of a hit and run that occurred in Hemet on Sanderson Avenue near Fruitvale Avenue early Sunday morning, April 18. The woman who fled the scene after the deadly collision has not yet been identified or located and Hemet Police Department’s investigation is continuing.
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Although officials had initially asked for the public’s help identifying the woman, Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials have since identified Lydia Currier, 35, of Hemet as the woman killed in the hit and run collision. A coroner’s release indicated she was pronounced deceased at Hemet Global Medical Center at 3:57 a.m.
Officials had previously stated that prior to the collision, the victim had been seen jumping in and out of traffic in front of cars about thirty minutes prior to the fatal accident.
Traffic investigators are still searching for the driver who fled the scene, leaving Currier to die in the roadway. She has been described as a black female adult, driving a brown or tan sedan.
Anyone who witnessed the deadly accident or the pedestrian’s behavior prior to the collision, or who has any information that can help investigators identify and locate the suspect is urged to contact Hemet Police Department at (951) 765-2400. Callers can refer to incident file number 21-2824 and can remain anonymous.
This is a developing story that will be updated as new information becomes available.
Original Story: Officials seek help identifying victim and suspect after fatal Hemet hit and run
HEMET, Calif. — A woman who was reportedly seen jumping in and out of traffic in front of vehicles was fatally struck by a driver who then fled the scene of the deadly collision on Sanderson Avenue near Fruitvale Avenue early Sunday morning, April 18.
Although officers had responded to reports of the woman’s dangerous and erratic behavior shortly before the hit and run, they were unable to locate her at the time. Just thirty minutes later the woman was run down and left to die in the roadway.
Officials say a woman driving a brown or tan sedan fled the scene after running down a woman who had earlier been seen jumping in and out of traffic. Hemet Crime Society photo
City of Hemet Police and Fire personnel were dispatched to the scene around 3:15 a.m. after receiving reports of a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision, Hemet Police Sergeant Dan Reinbolt later reported.
When officials arrived they located a pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle, which had fled the scene prior to their arrival.
Officers began performing CPR on the critically injured pedestrian and continued until paramedics arrived and rushed the victim to Hemet Global Medical Center.
“Tragically, she could not be revived and succumbed to her injuries,” Reinbolt explained.
The victim has not yet been identified and has been described as being in her mid to late 30’s. She is believed to be a Hemet resident.
During their subsequent investigation, traffic Investigators determined the victim was either crossing or standing in the roadway, within the south bound lanes of Sanderson Avenue when she was struck by a vehicle that then fled the scene.
The vehicle has been described as a brown or tan sedan driven by an as-yet unidentified black female adult.
“An exhaustive search was conducted for the suspect; however, she was not located,” Reinbolt said; adding, “We are following up on leads and obtaining video from a near-by gas station which may help identify the suspect and the vehicle.”
Reinbolt went on to explain that about 30 minutes prior to the fatal hit and run, officers had responded to a call of a woman who was seen jumping into traffic on Kirby Street, about one block east from where the deadly collision occurred.
“The caller reported they almost struck the female after she jumped or ran into the roadway,” Reinbolt continued.
“Officers responded, but could not find the female,” the Sergeant continued; adding, “It is likely that female is the same person who was struck and killed in the traffic collision.”
If you witnessed the collision or the pedestrian’s behavior prior to the collision, or if you have any information which may help investigators identify and locate the suspect, you are urged to contact Hemet Police Department at (951) 765-2400. Callers can remain anonymous.
This is a developing story that will be updated as new information becomes available.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
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 30 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 18 grandchildren.
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