Man, 30, who passed away days after La Quinta hit and run ID’d – Suspect still sought
UPDATED: Sunday, June 12, 9:45 p.m., With victim status update.
UPDATED: Saturday, June 19, 1:34 p.m., With Coroner’s release of information.
Originally Published: Wednesday, June 9, 12:30 p.m.
LA QUINTA, Calif. — Authorities are continuing to search for a driver who fled the scene of a deadly collision that killed a pedestrian in La Quinta early Monday morning, June 7. The fatal hit and run happened at the intersection of Calle Sinaloa and Avenida Mendoza.
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Fatally struck while walking in Canyon Lake, Riverside man, 29, ID’d
Deputies from the Thermal Station, CAL FIRE-Riverside, and other emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene at 5:22 a.m. after receiving reports of the collision, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Chris Olsen has since reported.
When officials arrived they found an adult male victim in the roadway who was unconscious and suffering from major injuries, according to Olsen; who said the driver of the vehicle who struck the man had fled the scene prior to the deputies arrival.
The victim was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he lingered in intensive care before succumbing to his injuries and passing away on Saturday, June 12. He has since been identified by Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner officials as 30-year-old,Obed Palomino Heredia, of La Quinta. A coroner’s release indicated he was pronounced deceased at 8:35 p.m.
The La Quinta Traffic Team is continuing to investigate this hit and run and have asked for the public’s help in locating the driver and vehicle that was involved in the victim’s death.
SEE ALSO: UPDATE: Unsealed indictment details charges against San Jacinto City Councilmember, other man
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call Deputy Van Gorp of the La Quinta Traffic Team at (760) 863-8990. Callers can refer to incident file number LA211580004 and can remain anonymous. You can also submit tips anonymously by visiting the department’s Crime Tip online form.
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.