After an exhaustive two-month investigation, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has brought a man into custody for the hit-and-run death of 58-year-old Felipe Avila. The arrest was linked to a tragic incident that unfolded on Amargosa Road in Victorville, where the victim was discovered deceased beside the road, suffering from major injuries on November 8, 2023.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, 37-year-old Stephen Culpepper, a San Bernardino resident, is allegedly the man behind the wheel of the pickup truck that struck Avila and fled the crime scene, leaving the victim in dire straits. Culpepper was arrested on January 12, 2024, and is currently being held at the High Desert Detention Center, charged with CVC 20001(a)- Hit and Run Causing Great Bodily Injury/Death.
The initial incident prompted a swift response from the Victorville Police Department deputies, who were dispatched following reports of a man down on the side of the road. Subsequently, the Victorville Station Major Accident Investigation Team took over the probe, piecing together the events that led to Avila's untimely demise. The investigators discovered evidence suggesting that a full-size truck with damage to the passenger side view mirror was involved.
The authorities are still appealing to the public for any additional insights that could bolster the case. Deputy Wolff from the Victorville Police Department is the point of contact for anyone with information, and anonymous tips can also be submitted to the We-Tip Hotline.
