An Arkansas man is behind bars after hitting two women in a crosswalk Tuesday night, authorities have revealed. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department reported that the suspect, identified as Erik Aanerud, a 20-year-old resident of Benton, Arkansas, was apprehended following a swift pursuit that led to his arrest on felony hit and run and DUI charges.
The incident unfolded just after 11:00 p.m. at the intersection of 3rd Street and Yucaipa Boulevard, where two female pedestrians were struck by an SUV while crossing the road. Both victims suffered serious injuries, necessitating urgent transport to Loma Linda University Hospital. Their condition, as per officials, remains undisclosed due to privacy concerns. Deputies gathered statements from those present at the savage scene and managed to recover a piece of the offending vehicle which led to a tentative identification of the run-away ride.
In their investigative efforts, deputies used information from the ground combined with aerial support from the Sheriff's Aviation Unit to locate the suspect vehicle, described as an older model tan Chevy Tahoe, parked conspicuously in the United Methodist Church parking lot on Acacia Avenue. It displayed damage consistent with the hit-and-run incident.
Upon discovery of the vehicle, Aanerud was found nearby and was determined to be the driver at the time of the crash, he was taken into custody, his alleged intoxication at the wheel, adding to the gravity of his already serious charges and currently, he awaits his fate at the West Valley Detention Center, under a hefty bail set at $250,000 according to details shared by the sheriff's department.
The authorities have made a call to the community, seeking any additional information that could shed light on this tragic occurrence. Individuals with knowledge of the event are encouraged to reach out to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Yucaipa Station directly, and for those opting for discretion, the option to report anonymously through We-Tip is available, all aimed at piecing together the moments that led to a night of needless suffering.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner, Shannon D. Dicus, has not only placed the suspected perpetrator under arrest but also extended an invitation for public assistance, ensuring that justice might be meted out thoroughly. More details surrounding this case can be accessed via the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's official release.
