Menifee Man Arrested In Hit-And-Run That Left Boy Critically Injured

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A Menifee driver was taken into custody Friday in Murrieta on suspicion of hitting a boy with his truck, then leaving the scene as the child lay in the street critically injured.

Mlouie Qutami, 29, was booked into county jail on suspicion of hit-and-run resulting in injury; driving on a suspended license and causing great bodily injury; and three outstanding felony warrants, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department reported.

The alleged hit-and-run was reported at 6:36 p.m. Feb. 14 near the intersection of W. 3rd Street and South C Street in Perris. The boy was crossing the street with his family when a dark-colored full-size truck plowed into him.

The child was sent to a local hospital in critical condition; an update was unavailable.

Witnesses told deputies the truck driver crashed into a parked vehicle, tried to flee the wreck, and then hit the juvenile during his escape.

During the crash investigation, deputies determined the truck was a 2023 Ram 1500 and Qutami was the driver, according to the sheriff's department.

On Friday, deputies received information about Qutami's whereabouts and arrested him in the 24000 block of Hospitality Place in Murrieta.

Anyone with additional information regarding the investigation is asked to call Deputy Roberto Torres or Deputy Victor Guzman at the Perris Sheriff’s Station: 951-210-1000.