Desert Hot Springs Man Pleads Guilty To Deadly Hit-And-Run

A Desert Hot Springs man who fatally struck a pedestrian and fled the accident pleaded guilty today to charges of felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.

Ronald Andrew Nelson, 50, whose car fatally struck Roger Mason Pace on Oct. 20, 2010, will be sentenced April 13.

Nelson was driving on a suspended license at the time, and pleaded guilty to that charge, as well. The hit-and-run charge includes a sentencing enhancement because Pace died.

Nelson, who has a record for drug-related crimes, is being held on $150,000 bail at the Larry D. Smith jail in Banning.

Nelson allegedly struck Pace, 49, on Palm Drive near Desert View Avenue about 6:30 p.m. that Wednesday evening, police said. Nelson was tracked down and arrested based on witness descriptions of his sport utility vehicle, police said.

According to prosecutors, Nelson is nearly blind in one eye. They also allege he was driving too fast.

Nelson was initially charged with felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, but that count was reduced to a misdemeanor manslaughter after preliminary hearing in December.