Driver Surrenders Following Critical-Injury Hit-And-Run Crash: RSO

SAN JACINTO, CA — The driver of a blue Kia — who was sought in connection with a weekend hit-and-run injury crash on the Ramona Expressway — was found, the sheriff's office announced Tuesday.

Charles Edward Bidinger III, 38, of San Jacinto turned himself in Sunday to deputies at the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station.

"During the interview, Bidinger admitted to driving the Kia when the collision occurred and fleeing the scene. Bidinger was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility for hit and run with injuries," the sheriff's office said in a Tuesday news release. "The victim remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition."

Jail records for Bidinger were unavailable.

The crash was reported just after 10 p.m. Saturday on the Ramona Expressway near Old Mountain Avenue. A preliminary investigation showed that a blue Kia was being driven at a high rate of speed eastbound on the expressway and was passing other eastbound traffic in the westbound lane, according to the sheriff's office.

When the Kia driver tried to pass a silver Chevrolet, the two vehicles collided. The Chevy was pushed off the road where it overturned, the sheriff's office reported.

The Kia driver, later identified as Bidinger, fled the scene, according to the law enforcement agency.

The Chevy driver was sent to a local hospital in critical but stable condition.

The crash investigation required the temporary closure of the Ramona Expressway, between Old Mountain and East Esplanade avenues.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Deputy Cortez at the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station at 951-766-2368 or Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 951-776-1099.