The streets of San Jacinto were disrupted by a major traffic collision this past weekend and now, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department has made headway in the investigation. Charles Edward Bidinger III, age 38, of San Jacinto, turned himself in to authorities and admitted involvement in the hit-and-run incident that left another driver critically injured, as reported by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
The collision, which took place late Saturday night near the Ramona Expressway and Old Mountain Avenue intersection, has had profound effects on the local community. Deputies arrived to a chaotic scene where a blue Kia, driven by Bidinger, collided with a silver Chevrolet after speeding and using the westbound lane to overtake traffic, according to Hoodline. The impact sent the Chevrolet careening off the road, where it overturned, leaving the driver with severe injuries.
Despite having fled the scene initially, Bidinger ultimately turned himself in to the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station on June 23. During his confession, he acknowledged that he was "driving the Kia when the collision occurred and fleeing the scene." Shortly afterward, he was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility for hit and run with injuries.
The investigation, spearheaded by the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station Traffic Collision Reconstruction Team, entailed a temporary road closure to process and collect evidence. The victim remains hospitalized, and the department has expressed gratitude to the public for their assistance, which was crucial in tracking down Bidinger. The San Jacinto Sheriff's Station still encourages anyone with further information to contact Deputy Cortez, or to reach out to Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch, the Sheriff's Department stated.
