A couple has been arrested on suspicion of murder and hit-and-run in connection with a San Bernardino car accident that killed 19-year-old Thomas Joseph Meeks and critically injured his 15-year-old stepbrother Christopher. According to a news report in the San Bernardino Sun, the couple — Heriberto Eddie Solis, 25, and 20-year-old Glory Maria Gurrola — was trying to escape after attempting to steal a car stereo from a vehicle at a nearby parking lot. It was during their getaway that they struck the brothers who were double-riding across the street on a bicycle.
The couple was arrested when they came into the police station to collect their 1991 Toyota Camry, which was the suspect vehicle in the Feb. 19 hit-and-run collision. Solis and Gurrola admitted to hitting the brothers, but said that they fled the scene because they were scared.
Suspects Were Committing Burglary
I commend police officials who apparently did a lot of good investigative work to track down these suspects. They say it was a combination of a little luck and a lot of hard work. Last week, officials got a search warrant and seized the Camry. Solis has been charged with murder committed while in commission of another crime, vehicle burglary and felony hit-and-run. Both Solis and Gurrola were charged with child endangerment because they were apparently committing the crime with their 11-month-old infant in the back seat.
It is indeed reassuring to read a about a case where police have apprehended the hit-and-run suspects. I can only imagine the grief the Meeks family is going through after having lost one of their children and caring for a critically injured child in the hospital. Tragic! I wish Christopher the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. This family will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.
No Excuse for Leaving the Scene of a Crash
Based on this news article, the couple just recently purchased the Camry and evidently had a rap sheet. In fact, this crime was committed in the process of committing another crime – all with a baby in the back seat! Their excuse — “I was scared.” It is always my hope in such cases that the negligent parties are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime under California law. According to California Vehicle Code section 20001: “The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.”
Victims and their families in such cases would be well-advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer who has had a successful track record dealing with hit-and-run and negligent drivers. I can imagine the enormous emotional and financial strain this family is going through right now. A knowledgeable lawyer will be able to advise them about their legal rights and options and also how their car insurance policy would apply to a hit-and-run incident and cases where the negligent driver lacks insurance or does not have sufficient insurance.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.