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Alleged Hit-And-Run Driver Behind Bars For Killing Woman

DOWNEY (CBS)  — A Downey man who allegedly fled the scene of a fatal crash that took the life of a 26-year-old woman was behind bars Wednesday, a police sergeant said.

Joe Vincent Cruz, 26, turned himself in a day after the crash, which occurred about 10:30 p.m. Saturday in the 9100 block of Firestone Boulevard, said Downey police Sgt. Scott Loughner.

Cruz was booked about 2 p.m. Sunday on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run and possession of cocaine, the sergeant said. He remains behind bars in lieu of $126,000 bail, according jail records.

According to police, a southbound Honda Civic driven by a 26-year-old woman and a westbound Toyota Tacoma, driven by Cruz, entered an intersection at the same time and collided. The deceased's age has also been given as 25.

Paramedics rushed the Civic's driver and her critically injured passenger, a 25-year-old woman, to an area hospital, where the motorist was pronounced dead, according to police.

The deceased's name was being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.

Related link:

25-Year-Old Woman Killed In Downey Hit-And-Run

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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