DA Files Charges In Orange County Hit-and-Run Case

The Orange County District Attorney’s office has filed charges against four people who were in a car that allegedly ran over the legs of a waitress outside Mexico Lindo Que Rico restaurant in Anaheim the night of March 22, 2015.

According to a news report in OC Weekly, 24-year-old Rowshaid Cordell Pellum was charged with one felony count of felony hit-and-run with injury, one felony count of aggravated assault and defrauding an innkeeper, which is a misdemeanor.

If convicted, Pellum faces up to four years and eight months in state prison.

Dine & Dash

The victim, Maria Uriostegui, 28, said she felt Pellum and three others who were with him were going to walk out on their bill. She said she kept a close eye on them because she “had the sense” they were going to dine and dash.

When they did walk out, as she had anticipated, she stopped them and told them they forgot to pay the bill.

The four turned around, laughed and kept walking.

Uriostegui said she went out to get the car’s license plate number, which is when the driver knocked her down with his vehicle, ran over her leg and sped away.

The waitress’s legs were not broken, but she did suffer moderate injuries and was hospitalized.

Leaving the Scene of a Crash

Based on this news report, it appears that the driver who was with a group of people who left the restaurant without paying for their meal, struck the waitress and left the scene.

Under California law, it is illegal to leave the scene of an injury or fatal car accident.

California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.”

Southern California, especially the greater Los Angeles area is recognized as the hit-and-run capital of the world. California in general unfortunately also leads the nation in pedestrian deaths.

Leaving the scene of an accident is irresponsible, unethical and inhumane.

At Bisnar Chase we have had a Hit-and-Run Reward Program to partner with law enforcement and communities with the goal of helping apprehend hit-and-run drivers.

Injured victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury attorney who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.