Woman Suspected In Fatal RivCo Hit-And-Run Arrested By CHP

NUEVO, CA — A suspect has been arrested following an investigation into a hit-and-run that killed a Perris woman earlier this month, the California Highway Patrol announced Tuesday.

Rita Quintana, 47, of Nuevo was arrested Jan. 18 in Riverside following a CHP investigation into the fatality.

At 7 p.m. Jan. 12, Quintana was driving westbound in the 30700 block of Montgomery Avenue in Nuevo when she hit a pedestrian who was walking in the road, according to the CHP and information from the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Bureau. There are no sidewalks on the stretch of Montgomery Road where the crash happened.

Instead of stopping, Quintana fled in the blue Chevrolet Malibu she was driving, according to the CHP.

The pedestrian, who died at the scene, was identified as Maria Estrada, 38, the coroner reported.

Evidence led to Quintana, the CHP reported.

"Investigating officers were able to identify critical pieces of evidence on scene which provided leads on a possible suspect vehicle color, make and model. The vehicle was eventually located and associated with Ms. Quintana," according to a CHP news release.

Jail and court records show Quintana was booked into Riverside's Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing death, but she was released the following day on a $75,000 bail bond. Formal charges against Quintana were pending as of Tuesday morning.

The CHP is seeking additional witnesses who saw the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call the CHP - Riverside Investigation Unit at 951-637-8000.