Passenger Killed in Moreno Valley Pursuit, Driver Faces Charges

INCIDENT DATE/TIME: 3-28-24, 1:03 a.m.
LOCATION: 25000 block of Gentian Ave
AREA/CITY: Moreno Valley
DETAILS:

****UPDATED INFO****

RIVERSIDE  – A 19-year-old driver who crashed his sedan in Moreno Valley, killing a passenger, while allegedly fleeing from California Highway Patrol officers because he was drunk, was out of custody Friday.

Steven Israel Corona of Moreno Valley was arrested Thursday following the predawn chase that fatally injured 19-year-old Villalon Ramirez, also of Moreno Valley.

Corona was booked into the Robert Presley Jail on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence resulting in injuries and felony evading with great bodily injury.

He posted a $250,000 bond and was released from the downtown Riverside jail Thursday afternoon.

The pursuit began just after 1 a.m. at Perris and Sunnymead boulevards, according to CHP Officer Javier Navarro.

He said a patrol unit observing the intersection spotted Corona’s Kia K900 going southbound on Perris without its headlights on, shooting through a steady red traffic signal.

The officers initiated a traffic enforcement stop, but the driver did not slow down, instead accelerating to 90 mph and “driving in a reckless manner through various streets,” Navarro said.

While racing down the 25000 block of Gentian Avenue, headed east, Corona “lost control and collided with two parked vehicles,” according to the CHP spokesman.

“As a result of the crash, the three passengers in the Kia became trapped, requiring extrication,” he said. “The driver was quickly apprehended by personnel.”

Riverside County Fire Department paramedics provided treatment at the scene, and the passengers were taken to Riverside University Medical Center with major injuries. Ramirez, who had been in the front passenger seat, died at the hospital an hour later.

The other parties were expected to recover.

Corona was checked at the medical center and was determined to be uninjured, after which he was booked into jail.

Officers determined during the check that the suspect was allegedly alcohol-impaired, according to Navarro.

Background on Corona was unavailable.

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ORIGIANAL PRESSER BELOW

FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION ON GENTIAN AVENUE EAST OF
PERRIS BOULEVARD

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. – On March 28, 2024, at approximately 1:03 a.m., a
California Highway Patrol (CHP) Riverside unit observed a black Kia K900
traveling southbound on Perris Boulevard proceed through the intersection of
Perris Boulevard at Sunnymead Boulevard on a solid red phased light.
As the officer attempted to conduct an enforcement stop, the Kia failed to yield
and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, the Kia reached speeds up to 90 miles
per hour as the driver continued driving in a reckless manner through various
streets in Moreno Valley. The driver made a right turn on Gentian Avenue from
Heacock Street and continued eastbound at a high rate of speed with no lights
activated on the Kia. The driver of the Kia lost control and collided with two
parked vehicles. As a result of the crash, three passengers in the Kia became
trapped requiring extrication. The driver was quickly apprehended by CHP
personnel. The three passengers were transported to Riverside University Health
System Medical Center with major injuries. The right front passenger ultimately
succumbed to his injuries. Alcohol intoxication is believed to be a factor in this
crash.
This is an ongoing investigation and any witnesses who may have observed the
incident are encouraged to call the California Highway Patrol, Accident
Investigation Unit at (951) 637-8000.

HANDLING AGENCIES: California Highway Patrol, Riverside
SOT(s): Neighbor, Annie Allen