Investigators have announced the arrest of a Hesperia man who allegedly struck and fatally injured a 65-year-old woman as she crossed a street with the aid of a walker in Phelan, then untangled the walker from the front of his vehicle before getting back into his SUV and fleeing the scene.
Roosevelt Madison Garrett, 77, was taken into custody Tuesday on suspicion of hit-and-run causing death and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, according to California Highway Patrol officials and San Bernardino County booking records.
Cynthia Moss of Phelan died in the crash, which took place 7:45 p.m. Monday at at Phelan and Buttemere roads, authorities said.
She was walking south across Phelan Road when she was hit by an eastbound Kia Sportage SUV, according to a CHP statement.
“Evidence discovered on scene indicated the suspect vehicle pulled over to the south shoulder, east of the point if impact,” the statement said. “The suspect then exited their vehicle and physically removed the attached walker and discarded it prior to fleeing the scene.”
Officials searched the area but did not find the involved vehicle or driver Monday night.
But the following afternoon, Garrett showed up at the CHP’s Victorville Office, where “he attempted to report a crash from the previous day that happened in the vicinity of the fatal incident,” the CHP said in a statement.
“Through investigative means, CHP investigators were able to locate a Kia Sportage matching the description of the vehicle that fled the scene of the collision,” the statement said. “The Kia was impounded as evidence. Garrett was arrested and booked into the High Desert Detention Center.”
CHP Capt. Todd Kovaletz said the agency takes hit-and-run crashed and dangerous driving “very seriously.”
“The CHP has highly trained personnel assigned to investigate all crimes occurring on our roadways in our jurisdiction,” he said.
Garrett was released from custody pending legal proceedings on Wednesday after posting bail, booking records show.
Any witnesses, or anyone with information, was asked to contact the CHP’s Victorville Station at (760) 241-1186.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Hesperia man arrested in connection with death of 65-year-old woman in Phelan hit-and-run
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
