Driver sought in deadly Riverside hit-and-run crash

Two people were killed and two others injured todaywhen the driver of a pickup truck blasted through a red light at a Riversideintersection and T-boned a car, then fled the scene on foot.

Robert Blackman Jr., 68, of Riverside suffered life-ending injuries when his2009 Saturn sedan was hit as he attempted to make a left turn onto SedgwickAvenue from westbound 14th Street.

A 39-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat of the Saturn wasalso killed. Her identity was not immediately released.

According to Riverside police, the hit-and-run crash occurred around12:35 a.m. when a man at the wheel of a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche, heading easton 14th, failed to stop for a red light at Sedgwick and collided with thepassenger side of the Saturn as it began a turn.

The Saturn had a green turn arrow, police said. The intersection islocated at a sharp bend on 14th, where the street widens from two to threelanes.

After the crash, the pickup driver ran away, leaving behind his injuredpassenger and not bothering to check the welfare of the other victims,according to Riverside police Sgt. Phil Neglia.

Blackman died at Riverside Community Hospital about 40 minutes after thecollision, according to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.

His front-seat passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. A womanriding in the rear of the vehicle was transported to Riverside County RegionalMedical Center in Moreno Valley. She’s listed in stable condition, Neglia said,adding that the pickup passenger is also in stable condition at RiversideCommunity Hospital.

The pickup driver was described as Hispanic, about 5-foot-8 and 200pounds, with a shaved head, mustache and tattoos on both arms.

Anyone with information about the crash was urged to call Riversidepolice Detective Ken Madsen at (951) 826-8723.