Deputies offer $5,000 reward for information leading to hit-and-run driver

Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact: Kimberly Edds, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Phone: 714-357-4654 E-mail: Kimberly@aocds.org

Deputies offer $5,000 reward for information leading to hit-and-run driver

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The Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of the person responsible for running over and critically injuring a 24-year-old autistic man as he crossed a Stanton street last month.

The hit-and-run was caught on a security camera on a bus sitting at the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Beach Boulevard around 12 p.m. on April 23.

Jeff Bell, 24, was on his way to work and was changing buses when he was hit, according to Bell’s father, Michael.

In the bus security video, the driver of the truck is seen driving into Bell and dragging him about 100 feet along the asphalt on Chapman Avenue.

The driver never stopped, leaving Bell critically injured in the middle of the street. Bell suffered burns and abrasions to more than 20 percent of his body. Doctors had to use nearly 40 staples to repair a serious cut to his head. He remains hospitalized.

“Only a coward could knowingly inflict such pain on another human being and leave them for dead in the middle of the street,” said Tom Dominguez, president of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs. “It is a miracle Mr. Bell managed to survive this. We hope that someone will have the courage to do the right thing and identify the driver who seriously injured this young man.”

The suspect’s vehicle is described as a bright, teal metallic (blue/green) 1993-1996 GMC single cab pickup truck. The vehicle has front end damage as a result of the collision and a sticker(s) attached to the left side of the rear cab window.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help identifying the vehicle in the video. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Orange County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Bureau Investigators at (949) 425-1864. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

The hit-and-run was caught on a security camera on a bus sitting at the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Beach Boulevard around 12 p.m. on April 23.

The Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs represents nearly 2,500 Orange County retired and active deputy sheriffs and district attorney investigators.

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