Woman accused of manslaughter, hit-and-run for El Mirage crash that killed Ontario man
Carlos Ortega Jr. died shortly after the two-vehicle collision, which took place about 8:30 a.m. Aug. 3 along El Mirage Road, just El Mirage Airport Road, according to San Bernardino County coroner and California Highway Patrol officials.
Teri Leeanne Jones, 43, of Adelanto has since been arrested and pleaded not guilty to charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and leaving the scene of an injury crash, San Bernardino County Superior Court records show.
The crash
Investigators determined that just prior to the deadly wreck, Jones was driving a 2003 Subaru Forester the wrong way on a dirt shoulder beside El Mirage Road, according to the CHP. Ortega was traveling on the road in a Honda Civic.
The Subaru "made an unsafe turn in front of a Honda Civic," the CHP said in a written statement. "The driver of the Honda attempted to turn to avoid a crash with the Subaru and lost control, overturning off the roadway."
Paramedics rushed the badly injured victim to a hospital, where he died a short time later, officials said.
"Officers determined that the driver of the Subaru stopped at the scene, saw the significant injuries to the victim, and fled the scene upon arrival of emergency services personnel," the statement said.
The arrest
Investigators soon identified Jones as a suspect in the deadly hit-and-run and found the involved Subaru, CHP officials said.
She was taken into custody on the afternoon of Aug. 6 in the 10600 block of Melody Place in Adelanto, according to county booking records.
The vehicle was seized as evidence under a search warrant.
CHP Victorville Area Commander Capt. Todd Kovaletz commended the investigators on their work.
"The CHP takes hit-and-run crashes and unsafe driving seriously and will diligently work to investigate these incidents," he said. "The CHP has skilled personnel trained to investigate all crimes occurring on roadways in our jurisdiction."
"The public's assistance is essential in solving hit-and-run crashes," according to the captain. "Anyone who witnesses any hit-and-run crash or dangerous driving incident is encouraged to call 911 and report the incident."
A "kind, talented" entrepeneur
Family members were left devastated by Ortega's sudden death, his mother, Elisabeth Garcia, wrote in a statement accompanying an online fundraiser set up to help with burial expenses.
"As we gather to celebrate his life and mourn his loss, Jr. had a beautiful heart and loved to help everyone," she said. "He was kind, talented, and an entrepreneur who left his mark on the world through his clothing line."
More: DUI suspected after Fawnskin man killed in crash between motorcycle, SUV at Big Bear Lake
Jones was scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing in her case on Thursday in the Rancho Cucamonga branch of San Bernardino County Superior Court, records show. In the meantime, she was being held without bail.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Woman accused of manslaughter, hit-and-run in deadly El Mirage crash
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