Two men were charged Monday in connection with an alleged road-rage-fueled hit-and-run collision that killed a 9-year-old boy in Orange.
Roderick Kent Jerro, 50, of Orange, and Miguel Villagomez Jr., 26, of Anaheim, were charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Jerro was also charged with hit-and-run with permanent injury, along with a sentencing enhancement for a prior strike conviction for a 1986 residential burglary in Los Angeles County.
Jerro and Villagomez got into a minor traffic crash about 9:30 p.m. Thursday on Tustin Street and Palm Avenue, according to Deputy District Attorney Stephen Cornwell.
Villagomez allegedly struck Jerro’s vehicle, but when Villagomez did not remain at the scene to exchange information, Jerro gave chase, Cornwell said.
Jerro made his first appearance in court Monday, but his arraignment was rescheduled for Aug. 28. Villagomez, who posted bail Friday night, will be arraigned the same day.
Jesse Rosales of Orange was struck about 9:30 p.m. Thursday as he was crossing west to east on Glassell Street at Wilson Avenue alongside his teenage sister, who managed to get out of the way of the two vehicles, according to Orange police Lt. Fred Lopez.
The siblings had the right of way as the light showed a “walk” signal, Lopez said.
“At the same time, (the motorists) had a solid red light,” the lieutenant said, alleging that the two northbound vehicles driven by Villagomez and Roderick kept going after the collision.
The boy and his sister, who turned 15 on Friday, were returning home from a store. Their family had moved to the area from another part of Orange County less than a week before the boy was hit.
At least two witnesses saw the collision, Lopez said.
Villagomez crashed his vehicle into a brick wall while trying to turn left on West Taft Avenue, Cornwell said. Jerro stopped nearby, the prosecutor added.
Both men were arrested a short time later.
Villagomez could face up to six years in prison if convicted at trial. Jerro faces up to 22 years in prison.
— Wire reports