SAPD homicide detectives arrest man for hit and run death of Martha Rodezno

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Homicide Detectives make arrest in the death of Martha Rodezno

On Wednesday January 29, 2014 Santa Ana Police Department Homicide Detectives arrested Jaqwun Laerin Turner (33) of Hawthorne for CVC 20001 (a) (b) 2 Hit and Run with permanent injury or death. Authorities arrested Turner at his residence.

Detectives obtained evidence that showed the victim in the area of Avery and the I-5 getting into a Petroleum Tanker driven by suspect Turner. On 12-8-2013 at approximately 2:43 AM the tanker was observed by a witness to be traveling northbound I-5 at the 22 freeway when a person was ejected from the passenger side of the Tanker. The Tanker was observed by the witness to continue driving on the northbound I-5 without stopping .

Turner was contacted and interviewed by Homicide Detectives. Based on the evidence presented to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, a warrant for CVC 20001 (a) (b) 2 Hit and Run with permanent injury or death was issued for his arrest. Turner was booked into the SAPD Jail.

Original Details: On 12-8-2013 at 243am CHP received a 911 call from a driver northbound I-5 at the 22 freeway “gore point” of a possible body. CHP arrived, located the deceased identified as Martha Rodezno (51) Los Angeles. CHP started their investigation, Coroner was then called to the scene and preliminary review of the injuries believed that her death was not conducive to a high speed vehicle/Ped traffic collision; Coroner requested a joint investigation between CHP & Santa Ana PD Homicide Detectives.

Santa Ana Homicide Detectives have learned that Martha Rodezno of LA was at a family function in the city of Mission Viejo. For unknown reasons she was upset and left the function on foot. She was last seen at Avery and I5 in Mission Viejo (this was verified by independent witnesses) at midnight. It is unknown where she was between midnight to 240am – it is unknown who she was with, where she was or how she got to Santa Ana. The autopsy is scheduled for this coming week. At this point detectives do not know what the cause of death is or the circumstances that lead to the victim’s death. For now this case is being listed as a suspicious death investigation.

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