Santa Ana man gets prison term for hit and run that killed a senior

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF0131: March 28, 2014

MAN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN STATE PRISON FOR KILLING PEDESTRIAN IN HIT-AND-RUN CRASH

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to four years in state prison for killing a pedestrian by crashing into the victim with his car and then fleeing the scene. Victor Manuel Arredondo Anaya, 28, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury, Feb. 5, 2014, of one felony count of hit and run causing death and one misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence.

At approximately 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 10, 2013, Anaya was driving a BMW heading southbound on Orange Avenue approaching Stanford Street in Santa Ana. He hit 75-year-old Miguel Ceja, who was lawfully crossing in an unmarked crosswalk on Orange Avenue. Anaya struck the victim’s left side with his car, causing Ceja to crash onto the hood of the car and hit his head on the windshield. Ceja then struck the left side mirror before being thrown from the vehicle and tumbling into the driver’s door of a parked car. Anaya failed to stop to assist the victim and continued driving. Ceja was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) responded and investigated this case and information regarding the crime and the make and model of the defendant’s car was provided to the media and public.

On Jan. 12, 2013, SAPD dispatch received a call from a civilian witness, who was driving at the intersection of Grand Avenue and First Street in Santa Ana and believed he was following the vehicle that may have been involved in the fatal crash.

Anaya was driving the BMW when contacted by SAPD. He had damage to his vehicle consistent with the crime and evidence collected at the collision scene.

At the time of the crime, Anaya was driving on a suspended license stemming from a 2011 conviction for driving under the influence. Anaya pleaded guilty Jan. 30, 2014, to one misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license and was sentenced to six months in jail to be served concurrently with today’s prison sentence.

Deputy District Attorney Anna McIntire of the Homicide Unit prosecuted this case.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney 401 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486