Driver Arrested In Fatal PCH Hit-And-Run That Struck Hemet Couple

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA —A Victorville woman suspected of killing one pedestrian and injuring another in a PCH hit-and-run Sunday was in custody one day later.

Chillandra Bell, 26, of Victorville in San Bernardino County—thought to be the driver in the fatal incident—was under arrest Monday. A woman who helped her flee the scene is still being sought, police said.

Sunday evening, a Nissan Altima struck a Hemet couple who were walking through a Pacific Coast Highway crosswalk. The Altima was traveling northbound on Pacific Coast Highway through Huntington Beach when the driver allegedly ran a red light, said Jennifer Carey of the Huntington Beach Police Department.

Deanna Stuve, 48, of Hemet in Riverside County, died at the scene, and her husband, Frederick Stuve, 50, was hospitalized in critical condition, Carey said.

"Following the collision, the driver of the Altima ... continued driving before stopping a short distance away," Carey said. "(She) and her unidentified female passenger left the Altima abandoned along the roadway, got into a waiting white sedan, and fled the scene."

Bell was located and later booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and hit-and-run resulting in death or injury. She remained in custody Monday morning, Carey said.

"Thanks to the assistance of multiple witnesses and video surveillance, officers were able to identify the getaway vehicle and trace the registered owner's whereabouts to a residence in Huntington Beach," Carey said. "Officers conducted surveillance of the residence and arrested Bell as she was leaving the location."

Investigators were unsure if drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash, Carey said.

"Based on the preliminary investigation, the Altima was traveling northbound on Pacific Coast Highway when it ran a red light, striking the two pedestrians who were crossing Pacific Coast Highway at Newland Avenue in the crosswalk with the right of way," Carey said.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the police at 714- 536-5670 or 714-536-5663.

City News Service contributed to this report.