Suspected DUI driver arrested after pedestrian killed in Riverside County freeway crash
On May 29, California Highway Patrol officers responded to a crash on the southbound lanes of the 215 Freeway near Placentia Avenue in Perris at 9:35 p.m.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a female pedestrian was walking on the freeway when she was struck by the driver of a Ford F-150 truck that had just entered from the on-ramp.
The Ford driver fled the scene without checking on the woman, later identified as Carol Omo Aba, 30, of Perris, CHP said. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
CHP received tips from community members that helped them track down the Ford driver at a residence in Menifee.
The suspect, identified only as a 41-year-old Menifee resident, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, felony hit-and-run, vehicular manslaughter, and driving a motor vehicle while suspended or revoked.
'The resolution of this incident was made possible through the combined efforts of our community and allied agencies,' said Riverside Area Commander Captain Steve Branconier.
Officials said the incident remains under investigation and any witnesses with information are asked to call CHP's Accident Investigation Unit at 951-324-7210.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
37 minutes ago
- CBS News
Westland hit-and-run victim continues recovery, police still searching for suspect
Nearly three weeks ago, Megan King says her life changed in an instant. On June 13, she was crossing the intersection at Cherry Hill Road and Venoy Road in Westland to pick up some dishes at the corner store. "I stopped at the light; I waited for cars that didn't yield to me. Everyone was stopped; I continued along the intersection with the light, saying I could go. Next thing you know, I'm halfway through the intersection, and I'm getting tossed into the air," said King. A nearby business shared surveillance footage with King of the moment she was hit — something she says is etched in her mind forever. "That's the scariest thing that I've ever experienced, and definitely the worst pain I've ever experienced in my life as well," said King. Even worse, she says the driver didn't stop and just kept driving. "I remember just, like, getting hit by a black car, and then I just seen the lights in the air, and the next thing you know, I was on the ground and watching the car speed away from me," said King. King's boyfriend, John Bastian, was home at the time — only three blocks away when he got her call. "It hurts to see her just laying in the middle of the road, and it's, it's raining, and all these people are just driving by and honking at her. No one even bothered to come out and help her," said Bastian. The couple moved to the area just a few days before to get more space for their growing family. "We had an apartment out in Belleville for about three years, and we just needed something bigger, especially for our dogs," said Bastian. King says what was supposed to be a summer full of fun memories is now one she would rather forget. "It was very terrifying. It's definitely something I never want to experience ever again," said King. King broke her back and pelvis in two places, needing fusion surgery and extensive physical therapy. Luckily, while doctors say she is making great progress and should make a full recovery, her journey back is just beginning. "This basically ruined my life forever. I'm going to have a whole bunch of more obstacles now; I'm going to have to go through more pain. The doctor said this basically aged me 10 years," said King. Almost a month later, Westland police say the suspect in the hit-and-run still hasn't been found. Westland Police Department Police released a photo of an unknown black sedan — possibly a Nissan — that failed to stop after the crash and fled eastbound on Cherry Hill. King says she wanted to share her story to hopefully help find the person who did this and get the answers she needs. "I don't care what the situation was. You hit me, and you immediately left. You could have stopped, called the cops, made sure I was okay, and then leave, for all I care. But you left me there," said King. If you have any information that may help identify the suspect, contact Westland police at 734-722-9600.
Washington Post
44 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Search continues for 7 missing after huge explosion at California fireworks factory
ESPARTO, Calif. — Rescue crews were searching on Thursday for seven people still missing days after an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Northern California shook a tiny farming community and forced the cancellation of nearby July Fourth celebrations. Family members gathered near a sheriff's checkpoint about a mile from the blast site in rural Esparto, hoping for news about their loved ones. Syanna Ruiz, who is pregnant, said her boyfriend, 18-year-old Jesus Ramos, was working his first day at the warehouse when the explosion occurred.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Search continues for 7 missing after huge explosion at California fireworks factory
ESPARTO, Calif. (AP) — Rescue crews were searching on Thursday for seven people still missing days after an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Northern California shook a tiny farming community and forced the cancellation of nearby July Fourth celebrations. Family members gathered near a sheriff's checkpoint about a mile from the blast site in rural Esparto, hoping for news about their loved ones. Syanna Ruiz, who is pregnant, said her boyfriend, 18-year-old Jesus Ramos, was working his first day at the warehouse when the explosion occurred. 'I'm just praying to God that some way, somehow, they're OK,' Ruiz told the Sacramento Bee on Wednesday. People were urged to avoid the area after the Tuesday night blast, which set off a barrage of fireworks and caused a massive blaze that led to other spot fires and collapsed the building in Yolo County about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of Sacramento. Two people were injured and received medical care, Esparto Fire Chief Curtis Lawrence said at a news conference Wednesday. Lawrence provided no further information other than to say the two were 'OK,' and it wasn't known if the victims worked at the facility. Emergency crews and investigators were working with the property's owner and monitoring the area using drones to find the missing individuals, said the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. It was not immediately clear if those missing worked at the warehouse or lived nearby. The cause of the explosion was under investigation. In a statement, the management of the business, Devastating Pyrotechnics, thanked law enforcement and emergency personnel for their swift response. 'Our hearts and thoughts are with those we lost, their families, and everyone impacted in our community,' the statement said. 'Our focus will remain on those directly impacted by this tragedy, and we will cooperate fully with the proper authorities in their investigation.' The property is owned by 'an active pyrotechnic license holder,' Cal Fire said in a statement Wednesday. 'This type of incident is very rare, as facilities like this are required to not only follow our stringent California pyrotechnic requirements, but also federal explosive storage requirements.' The fire was held at nearly 80 acres (33 hectares) after scorching surrounding agricultural fields, officials said. Nisa Gutierrez told the Sacramento CBS affiliate KOVR-TV that the blast was so strong it blew open the doors of her home, damaging the door frames. She and her daughter were in their yard and were nearly knocked over as their pony and goats scattered. 'We hear like a big boom, and feel the wave,' Gutierrez said. 'I thought it was a bomb.' The scene remained hazardous, with explosions continuing into the evening on Wednesday, Cal Fire said in a statement. Crews including a team with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were working to enable safe access to the site 'to conduct recovery operations and bolster investigative efforts for the explosion investigation,' the statement said. Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said it was tracking what happened and that state ground and air resources were deployed. 'The State Fire Marshal has sent an arson and bomb investigation team, and stands ready to provide additional support as needed,' the governor's office said on the social site X. Officials in nearby Sutter and Yuba counties announced Wednesday that they were exploring alternatives for Fourth of July celebrations after their fireworks were destroyed in the blast. 'Devastating Pyrotechnics has been a trusted partner and a cherished part of our regional fireworks celebrations,' the Yuba-Sutter officials said in a statement. 'This tragic incident is a sobering reminder of the many hands behind the scenes who help create joy for others.'
