A motorist allegedly mowed down and killed a homeless man in his 60s Friday near a Riverside intersection and was immediately arrested.

Lawrence Earl Aaeseng, 55, of Riverside, allegedly ran over the victim, whose identity was not released, after spotting him standing near a tree at the edge of a parking lot on Jackson Street, just east of Van Buren Boulevard.

Aaeseng was booked into the Robert Presley Jail on suspicion of murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Bail information was not immediately available.

According to Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback, the deadly vehicular assault occurred shortly after 10 a.m., when the suspect allegedly aimed his Toyota Corolla at the victim, who apparently had no previous encounters with Aaeseng.

“Detectives learned that (Aaeseng) drove his vehicle south through the business parking lot … and intentionally struck the victim, who was standing near a tree at the Jackson Street side driveway,” Railsback said.

He alleged that the suspect then abruptly threw his vehicle into reverse and ran into a Nissan sedan while trying to get out of the parking area.

The woman in the Nissan was not injured.

Aaeseng’s Toyota became stuck, preventing him from fleeing the scene, according to Railsback.

Riverside Fire Department Battalion Chief Jeff DeLaurie said that an engine crew was involved in a training exercise nearby and reached the location moments later.

Paramedics rendered treatment at the scene and had the victim transported to Riverside Community Hospital, where he died a short time later.

Aaeseng was not hurt and was taken into custody without incident.

He has no documented prior felony convictions.

–City News Service

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