Case # 15CF1773
Date: August 10, 2015
TWO DRIVERS CHARGED IN HIT-AND-RUN CRASH FOR SPEEDING THROUGH RED LIGHT AND KILLING 9-YEAR-OLD BOY CROSSING STREET
SANTA ANA, Calif. – Two drivers were charged today for a hit-and-run crash after speeding through a red light and killing a 9-year-old boy who was crossing the street. Miguel Villagomez Jr., 26, Anaheim, and Roderick Kent Jerro, 50, Orange, are each charged with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Jerro is charged with one additional felony count of hit and run with permanent injury and death and a sentencing enhancement for a prior strike conviction for a 1986 residential burglary in Los Angeles County. If convicted, Villagomez faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison and Jerro faces a maximum sentence of 22 years in state prison. Villagomez is out of custody on $100,000 bail. Jerro is being held on $100,000 bail. Both defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 28, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 6, 2015, Villagomez is accused of getting into a minor traffic collision with Jerro’s vehicle on Tustin Street and Palm Avenue in Orange and attempting to drive away. Jerro is accused of pursuing Villagomez’s vehicle.
Both defendants are accused of speeding northbound through a red light at the intersection of North Glassell Street and Wilson Avenue. Jerro is accused of hitting 9-year-old Jesse Rosales as he was crossing the street with his older sister. The defendants are accused of failing to stop to render aid or assistance to the victim. Rosales was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Villagomez is accused of continuing to drive northbound, attempting to make a left turn on West Taft Avenue, and crashing into a brick wall, which disabled his vehicle. Jerro is accused of stopping his vehicle near the site where Villagomez had crashed. Both defendants were arrested a short time later by the Orange Police Department, who investigated this case.
Deputy District Attorney Stephen Cornwell of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.