Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 8:00 P.M. 

INCIDENT: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Wilful Cruelty to a Child

LOCATION: Twentynine Palms Highway near Apache Trail, Yucca Valley

SUSPECT(S): Robert Moran, 40-year-old resident of Yucca Valley

VICTIM(S): Confidential


SUMMARY:
Yucca Valley, CA – On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, shortly after 8:00 p.m., deputies from the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to the area of Apache Trail and Twentynine Palms Highway regarding a hit-and-run traffic collision.

Upon arrival, deputies determined the involved suspect driver had fled the scene without stopping, rendering aid, or properly identifying themselves. During the on-scene investigation, a witness reported hearing a young female juvenile screaming from the suspect vehicle as it left the area.

At the same time, the Sheriff’s Desert Dispatch Center received an in-progress emergency call from a terrified 9-year-old female juvenile who pled for help. The juvenile reported her father had been drinking and was involved in a traffic collision. Sheriff's Dispatch determined the juvenile had sustained injuries and feared for her life. They obtained critical information from the juvenile and from a Good Samaritan witness who had followed the hit-and-run driver.  Sheriff's Dispatch immediately broadcasted this information to responding deputies.

Deputies continued their search based on the information provided by the Good Samaritan and located the suspect at his residence shortly after the collision. Deputies identified the suspect as 40-year-old Yucca Valley resident, Robert Moran.  Deputies determined Moran was extremely intoxicated and driving recklessly while his juvenile daughter was in the vehicle. Due to the juvenile’s complaint of pain and visible injuries, medical aid was requested, and the juvenile was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Moran was arrested and booked into the Morongo Basin Jail on multiple felony charges, including driving under the influence of alcohol and willful cruelty to a child.
 
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or provide information online at www.wetip.com.     

Refer: Deputies L. Gonzalez, C. Ranslem, and Q. Benkovitz

Station: Morongo Basin Station

Phone No. 760-366-4175

Case No. 232502104   

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