Ex-Con Who Killed Motorist During Police Chase Sentenced

A man who was on probation when he ran a red light while fleeing from a sheriff’s deputy in Norco, killing a Riverside resident in a side-impact crash, was sentenced today to 22 years to life in prison.

Joshua Aaron Peerman, 30, was convicted last September of the Memorial Day 2013 death of 23-year-old Jesus Perez Roblero.

“This was just a senseless act that happened because the defendant fled from police, going freeway speeds and running stop signs,” Riverside County Deputy District Attorney Kevin Beecham told City News Service. “I’m happy that justice was served.”

Peerman was found guilty of second-degree murder, reckless evading, vehicle theft and witness intimidation. Superior Court Judge Elisabeth Sichel imposed the sentence required by law.

The chain of events that culminated in Roblero’s death began in the predawn hours of May 27, 2013. Peerman stole a trailer from a Riverside residence and dropped the coach in the 100 block of Pinto Place in Norco, awakening a homeowner who called the sheriff’s department.

After confirming the trailer had been stolen that morning, a deputy scouted the area to see if he could find the 2004 Nissan Frontier pickup truck that the witnesses had seen hauling it, according to Beecham.

The deputy spotted the truck in the area of Crestview Drive and Viceroy Avenue and followed it to Eighth Street and Crestview, signaling Peerman to pull over. The defendant initially complied -- but abruptly took off, blowing “through one stop sign after another,” the prosecutor said.

During the 1.3-mile chase, along streets where the posted speed limit is 25 mph, Peerman drove 60-plus mph in an attempt to get away, according to Beecham.

Peerman’s passenger, 28-year-old Amanda Smith, screamed for him to stop and let her out, but he refused.

Peerman raced south on Pedley Avenue, going straight through a red light at Pedley and Sixth Street, T-boning Roblero’s westbound 1993 Toyota Corolla as it entered the intersection on a green light.

The compact car crumpled and tumbled to the opposite side of the street. Roblero died on impact.

Both the defendant and Smith escaped with minor injuries.

Peerman has prior convictions for felony evading and possession of methamphetamine for sale and was on probation at the time of the wreck, court records show.

--City News Service

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