Last Updated on January 18, 2018 by CCAR Staff
A San Bernardino man accused in a Christmas night hit-and-run freeway collision in Jurupa Valley that killed a 23-year-old Ontario woman pleaded not guilty Wednesday, Jan. 17, to gross vehicular manslaughter and other felony charges.
Along with the manslaughter count, Jude Joseph Vargas, 30, is charged with hit-and-run resulting in great bodily injury, presenting a forged document to authorities and a sentence-enhancing allegation of fleeing the scene of a crime.
He remains in custody at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside with bail set at $250,000.
Hillary Hicks died at Riverside Community Hospital about 3 1/2 hours after the Dec. 25 crash on the westbound 60 Freeway, just west of Mission Boulevard.
CHP Officer Dan Olivas said a 2008 Toyota Sienna plowed into the rear of the victim’s 2004 Honda CRV about 11:30 p.m. The Honda went off the road, overturned and hit a tree, causing Hicks to be ejected, Olivas said.
According to Olivas, Vargas’ Toyota was found not far from the crash scene, abandoned on the side of the road.
Vargas went to the Chino Police Department hours later and reported that his Toyota had been stolen, but investigators didn’t buy his story, and he was arrested, according to the CHP.
According to San Bernardino County Superior Court records, Vargas has prior convictions for creating a public disturbance and petty theft.
