LUCERNE VALLEY, Calif. – A hit-and-run driver has left three girls dead and a fourth critically injured in a devastating crash in San Bernardino County. Investigators continue looking for the suspect who reportedly exited his truck and surveyed the carnage while using a flashlight before fleeing the scene without calling for help, authorities said Tuesday.
The three deceased victims were identified as Willow Sanchez, 11, Daytona Bronas, 12, and Sandra Mizer, 13. The fourth victim, Natalie Cole, 14, was hospitalized in critical condition. The girls were walking along Camp Rock Road north of Rabbit Springs Road in Lucerne Valley about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday. According to family members, Daytona and Cole are both wheelchair-bound and were being pushed by the two other girls, FOX 11 Los Angeles reported.
The suspect vehicle was described as a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. The driver reportedly drifted on the shoulder of the road and struck girls from behind, the California Highway Patrol said.
Sherrie Orndoff, who is Cole’s mother and Sanchez’ older sister, said the young girls had been spending the night at her house and decided to go for a stroll, FOX reported.
“Her leg was amputated in the accident, all her other limbs are shattered and her liver is bleeding, her kidneys are struggling,” Orndorff said, speaking of Cole.
“You got out of your vehicle, looked at those dead and dying girls on the ground, and you ran,” Orndoff said of the people in the truck.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the crash and is asking for the public’s help identifying the suspects. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact Officer L. McAllister, ID 22073 at the Victorville CHP Area office at 760-241-1186.
