Man Accused Of Intentionally Running Over Pedestrians: Trial Ordered

MORENO VALLEY, CA — A 24-year-old man accused of intentionally running over and killing two pedestrians in a Moreno Valley hit-and-run must stand trial for two counts of first-degree murder and other charges, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Edgar Ivan Garcia of Mead Valley allegedly killed 29-year-old Junior Rafael Gonzalez and 39-year-old Pedro Cortes Rodriguez in 2019.

Following a preliminary hearing in Riverside Wednesday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Jerry Yang found there was sufficient evidence to bound Garcia over for trial on the murder counts, as well as hit-and-run resulting in death, a special circumstance allegation of taking multiple lives and sentence-enhancing allegations of using a deadly weapon — a vehicle — in the commission of a felony and fleeing the scene of a crime.

The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for March 21 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

The defendant is being held without bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Rick Espinoza, in the predawn hours of Oct. 18, 2019, Gonzalez and Rodriguez were walking through the parking lot of a business in the 24000 block of Alessandro Boulevard, near Heacock Street, when Garcia allegedly drove into them with his pickup.

A possible motive for the attack was not disclosed.

After impacting the victims, Garcia allegedly fled the location, Espinoza said.

Paramedics arrived within a few minutes and pronounced Gonzalez dead at the scene.
Rodriguez was taken to nearby Riverside University Medical Center, where he lingered in a coma for nine days before succumbing to his injuries.

Detectives soon developed leads pointing to Garcia as the alleged assailant, Espinoza said, without elaborating.

The defendant was stopped and arrested without a struggle in the area of Day and Nance streets in Moreno Valley four days later.

He has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.