Colton, CA – A Colton man is facing homicide charges following a deadly DUI crash that claimed the life of a 19-year-old pedestrian in early May.
On May 2, officers from the Colton Police Department responded to a fatal collision in the 1700 block of East Washington Street and Center Drive shortly before 7 a.m. The victim, later identified as Larenz Lamaar Fondren of Highland, was found lying on the roadway with fatal injuries. Police say he was struck while crossing the street and then hit by multiple vehicles. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect, Antonio Dominguez Medrano, 30, was initially arrested at the time for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Investigators also indicated that speed was a contributing factor in the crash.
Medrano posted bail and was released, but on June 26, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office upgraded the charge to homicide and issued a warrant for his arrest. The following day, detectives located and re-arrested Medrano in Beaumont.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the victim, Larenz Fondren,” said Colton Police Chief Anthony Vega. “Sadly, his life was tragically taken by an act of vehicular recklessness.”
Authorities continue to investigate the incident.
