Illegal Street Racing Leads To Murder Charges: Moreno Valley

MORENO VALLEY, CA — Two young men accused of killing a 45-year-old pedestrian during an illegal street race in Moreno Valley were both charged Wednesday with second-degree murder.

Miguel Angel Garcia Valdez, 23, of Perris and Jorge Eduardo Diaz, 20, of Moreno Valley were arrested following Sunday's death of Mario Hernandez of Moreno Valley.

Along with the murder count, the pair are both charged with hit-and-run resulting in death, engaging in an illegal speed contest, reckless driving and a sentence-enhancing allegation of causing an accident resulting in great bodily injury or death.

They're slated to make a joint initial court appearance Thursday at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

The defendants are each being held in lieu of $1 million bail — Diaz at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, and Valdez at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, about 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Diaz and Valdez allegedly squared off in a race eastbound on Sunnymead Boulevard, with Diaz at the wheel of a Jeep Cherokee, and Valdez driving a Chevrolet Camaro.

Investigators allege the pair reached highway speeds on the four-lane city street, trying to out-maneuver one another as they approached Heacock Street, where Hernandez was attempting to cross in the pedestrian right-of-way.

Diaz allegedly plowed into the victim at the intersection and kept going, according to sheriff's officials. Valdez also continued eastbound, investigators allege.

There were multiple witnesses, and paramedics were immediately summoned, arriving within a couple of minutes, authorities said.

Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene.

While detectives were gathering evidence and speaking to the witnesses, Diaz returned to the location and allegedly acknowledged his involvement in the hit-and-run, according to sheriff's officials. They said Valdez also drove back to the intersection and spoke with detectives.

Both men were taken into custody without incident.

Valdez has no documented prior misdemeanor or felony convictions in Riverside County. However, Diaz has one traffic-related conviction from last year, according to court records.