Man killed in hit-and-run in Orange County, suspect at large

Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who killed one person and hospitalized another in a traffic accident in Santa Ana.

The deceased victim was identified by Santa Ana Police as 21-year-old Joshua Cervantes.

On April 2, 2023, police responded to reports of a hit-and-run crash near Ross Street and St. Gertrude Place involving two pedestrians.

Cervantes and some friends were standing next to a car in the street for a few minutes when Cervantes crouched down. Then he and a friend were suddenly struck by an oncoming SUV.

The suspect did not stop and continued to speed west on St. Gertrude Place, police said.

When officers arrived, they found Cervantes lying unconscious in the street. He was taken to a local trauma center and pronounced dead despite life-saving efforts. The other person survived but remained in the hospital for several days.

Cervantes’ family were devastated by his death, as the suspect is still at large.

“My son meant everything to us,” said Frances Morga, the victim’s mother. “He was so special. The last day I saw him, I hugged him and told him, ‘I love you,’ and he said, ‘Mommy, I love you,’ and that was the night the accident happened. I don’t know how to go on without him. I miss him so much.”

The suspect vehicle is described as a silver or gold SUV from the 2000s that resembles a Ford Expedition.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about this case to come forward and help the victim’s family close the case.

“It’s been a year since my son died,” Morga said. “It’s been the longest year of my life. This perpetrator is still at large. I want to ask anyone who can help and knows anything about this crime to come forward and hold this person accountable for the crime. If the person out there is not caught, they could hurt someone else. I want my son to get justice. I believe if this perpetrator is not caught, my son will not rest in peace.”

Cervantes leaves behind his parents, his brother and a circle of friends.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Santa Ana Police Sergeant Richard Shin at 714-245-8294.

Anonymous tips can be given to OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227 or online at occrimestoppers.org.