A 15-year-old Hesperia teen is killed in a fatal traffic collision 
DATE/TIME: June 15, 2017 / 11:34 AM
INCIDENT: Fatal Traffic Collision
LOCATION: Santa Fe Avenue East/Mission Street
SUSPECT: Benjamin Harrity, 20 years old, resident of Hesperia
VICTIM: Moises Chequete, 15-year-old, resident of Hesperia
SUMMARY: On June 15, 2017 at approximately 11:34 a.m. deputies from the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station and rescue personnel from the San Bernardino County Fire Department were dispatched to a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision near the intersection of Santa Fe Avenue East and Mission Street in the City of Hesperia. The victim was walking alone, north on east roadway edge of Santa Fe Ave. East when he was struck by the vehicle. The vehicle involved, a blue Chevrolet sedan was described by witnesses as fleeing the scene, and traveling north on Santa Fe Ave East. A witness followed the suspect vehicle, updating Sheriff’s dispatch of their location until deputies arrived on scene.
The suspect vehicle driver, Benjamin Harrity was detained at C Ave. and Yucca Street and during the investigation determined to be under the influence. He was arrested without incident. The pedestrian, found to be a 15-year-old male was transported to Desert Valley Hospital, where despite efforts to treat his major injuries, he later died.
The Hesperia Station Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is conducting the investigation and Santa Fe Ave. East was closed in both directions until approximately 5:00 pm from Fir St. to Mission St. while investigators collected evidence and interviewed witnesses.
Harrity was booked at the High Desert Detention Center for CVC 20001(a) Felony hit and run and PC 191.5(b) vehicular manslaughter.
The witnesses in this case are commended for their quick thinking and immediate notification to 911 operators reporting the suspect vehicle’s direction of travel after the collision. The information provided by witnesses assisted in the quick apprehension of the suspect by responding deputies.
The investigation is on-going and anyone with information regarding the collision is asked to contact Deputy Jeremy DeBerg at the Hesperia Sheriff's Station, (760)947-1500.
Refer: Deputy Jeremy DeBerg
Station: Hesperia
Phone No: (760) 947-1500
Case No. 191704866
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Hesperia Police Department
15840 Smoke Tree St
Hesperia, CA 92345
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 760-947-1549