Just before 8 a.m. today, Orange County Sheriff deputies attempted a traffic stop on a stolen U-Haul and the driver did not stop, according to San Clemente Police Services.
Deputies pursued a short time before the U-Haul collided with a vehicle near S. Ola Vista and Granada in San Clemente.
The passenger of the stolen U-Haul, Gregorio Horacio Trejochavez, 56 years old of La Habra remained at the scene and was taken into custody. He was treated at the hospital and later booked at the Orange County Jail for a probation violation.
The suspect, Mathew Alexander Ronquillo, 39 years old of Cerritos, ran from deputies. A short time later, Sheriff’s Dispatch was notified about Ronquillo running across the 5 freeway.
The Orange County Sheriff’s helicopter “Duke” located Ronquillo and directed deputies to his location. Ronquillo attempted to continue to run from deputies.
A Sheriff’s K9 was used to apprehend Ronquillo. He was treated at the hospital and booked at the Orange County Jail for crimes related to felony evasion, felony evasion causing great bodily injury or death, felony hit and run, gross vehicular manslaughter, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Road Closures: The area of Ola Vista and Avenida Granada was closed.
Expected and Preliminary Charges
Based on the details provided by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the following charges are typical for these circumstances:
- Vehicular Manslaughter / Murder: Because the pursuit resulted in a fatality, the driver could face vehicular manslaughter or potentially “Watson Murder” (second-degree murder) if they were driving with “implied malice” or under the influence.
- Felony Evading Peace Officer Causing Death/Injury: A primary charge when a pursuit leads to a fatal collision.
- Vehicle Theft / Possession of a Stolen Vehicle: Both suspects were in a U-Haul reported as stolen.
- Hit and Run: Reports indicate both the driver and passenger fled the scene of the crash on foot before being captured.
- Resisting Arrest: For fleeing from deputies after the collision.
Incident Summary
- Time & Location: The pursuit began just before 8 a.m. and ended at the intersection of South Ola Vista and Avenida Granada in San Clemente.
- Victims: One passenger in the vehicle struck by the U-Haul was pronounced deceased; at least two other passengers were transported to local hospitals with injuries.
- Current Status: Both the driver and the passenger of the U-Haul are in custody. Investigators from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are currently processing the scene and determining the full scope of charges.
Those cowards need to face life in prison without the possibility of parole. They got another person killed over lacking the courage to take responsibility for their actions when they SHOULDN’T had been committing crimes in the first place. As for the victim involved in the fatal collision, RIP