Driver suspected in deadly hit-and-run identified, expected to surrender in court next week
Investigators identified the driver suspected of being involved in a hit-and-run crash that killed a teenager last month.
Troy Dean Reynolds, 57, of Yucca Valley is believed to have been behind the wheel in a crash that killed Joshua Alexander Sanchez Barreras, 16, in Yucca Valley on the night of Jan. 26.
Deputies found Barreras unresponsive in the center median of SR-62 east of Avalon Avenue. The boy was pronounced dead in the hospital.
The agency said that evidence at the scene indicated that Barreras was struck by a vehicle. The Morongo Basin Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) assumed the investigation.
The Morongo Basin Station Detective Bureau investigated leads and found evidence that a white Dodge Ram truck was involved. Through investigation, the agency said detectives identified Reynolds as the suspect, who was driving a Dodge Ram 5500 tow truck.
The agency alleges that after the collision, Reynolds made no effort to report the collision to law enforcement and instead made extensive efforts to conceal his involvement. Detectives followed further leads and recovered parts from Reynolds' truck, consistent with the collision, at a body shop in Riverside County, where the parts were removed shortly after the hit-and-run.
The Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station prepared the case and submitted it to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office.
Tuesday morning, the District Attorney filed a felony complaint charging Reynolds with hit and run resulting in death to another person in violation of Vehicle Code 20001.
The agency said through an agreement with Reynolds’ defense counsel and the District Attorney, Reynolds is scheduled to surrender in court for booking and arraignment on the felony complaint on February 27.
If you have any further information related to this investigation, you are asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME.
