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2 Drivers Arrested In Connection With Deadly Hit-And-Run Crash In Orange

ORANGE (CBSLA.com) — Police on Friday arrested two separate drivers in connection with the death of a 9-year-old boy in the City of Orange.

According to the Orange Police Department, Jerro Roderick, 51, and Miguel Villa Gomez, 26, were arrested in connection with the hit-and-run crash on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter.

Just before 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, authorities were sent to the area of Glassell Street and Adams Avenue for report of a traffic collision involving a pedestrian, according to the Orange City Fire Department.

Upon their arrival, authorities located the boy in the roadway.

Paramedics transported the victim to a hospital where he later died.

jessie rosales
(credit: Aaron Caseres)

Family members identified the boy as Jessie Rosales.

A preliminary investigation revealed Rosales was struck by a vehicle as he crossed the street in a marked crosswalk.

Witnesses reported hearing a truck speeding by in the area while Rosales and his 15-year-old sister walked to meet their mother on the other side of the road.

A black pickup truck reportedly came out of nowhere after running through a red light and subsequently struck the boy, neighbors said.

Bystanders ran out into the street to stop traffic and keep the boy awake until paramedics arrived to perform CPR.

The two vehicles involved in the incident later collided onto the railroad tracks located about a half mile away at the intersection of Glassell Street and Taft Avenue.

A good Samaritan followed the suspects to Taft Avenue to make sure they were at the scene when authorities arrived.

Gomez and Roderick were subsequently arrested at the scene.

At this time, it remains unclear which driver struck Rosales.

Authorities said one of the men has refused to give a statement.

Glassell Street remained closed to traffic until around 6 a.m., officials said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is urged to contact the Orange Police Department at (714) 744-7444.

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