Full Notification

DATE/TIME: June 12, 2022, 4:15 a.m.

INCIDENT: Fatal Hit and Run Traffic Collision

LOCATION: Cottonwood Avenue, north of Sycamore Street, Hesperia

SUSPECT(S): Driver #1: Katrina Hernandez, 37-year-old Stanton, CA Resident
                        Vehicle #1: Unknown

VICTIM(S): Pedestrian #1: Emily Castaneda, 29-year-old Hesperia Resident (deceased)
                   Pedestrian #2: 32-year-old male (critical condition)


UPDATE: In the days following this incident, investigators followed up on leads and were able to identify the suspect and involved vehicle. On June 16, 2022, Katrina Hernandez was located driving the involved vehicle, a red 2019 Chevrolet Trax, in Stanton, California. Hernandez was arrested and booked at the West Valley Detention Center for VC 20001(a), Hit and Run Causing Injury/Death.


SUMMARY: On Sunday, June 12, 2022, at approximately 4:15 a.m., deputies from the Hesperia Station and rescue personnel from the San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to a traffic collision on Cottonwood Avenue, north of Sycamore Street, in Hesperia. 

Upon arrival, deputies discovered an unknown driver traveled south on Cottonwood Avenue. The 29-year-old female had fallen onto the roadway of Cottonwood Avenue. The 32-year-old male attempted to assist the female out of the roadway. Both the male and female pedestrians were struck by the vehicle in the southbound lane of Cottonwood Avenue. The driver fled the scene of the crash and was last seen traveling southbound on Cottonwood Avenue. Despite life saving measures, the female pedestrian was pronounced deceased on scene by emergency personnel. The male pedestrian was transported to a trauma center where he remains in critical condition. At this time, it has not been determined if drugs and/or alcohol were a factor.

 Identification of the 29-year-old female is pending notification of next of kin. Cottonwood Avenue, from Sycamore Street to Sequoia Street, was closed for several hours while deputies from the Hesperia Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) processed the scene. 

Anyone with information, or anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Deputy F. Zavala or Sergeant Brendan Motley at the Hesperia Sheriff's Station. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call We-Tip at 1-800-78-crime, or online at www.wetip.com

Refer: Deputy Frankie Zavala/Sergeant Brendan Motley

Station: Hesperia Police Station

Phone No. 760-947-1500

Case No. 192204183

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department