FIVE ARRESTED IN VICTORVILLE CRASH THAT KILLED TWO TEENAGERS VICTORVILLE, Calif. —...

FIVE ARRESTED IN VICTORVILLE CRASH THAT KILLED TWO TEENAGERS

VICTORVILLE, Calif. — After a multiday search, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has arrested five people in connection with an Aug. 14 hit-and-run crash in Victorville that killed two teenage girls.

CHP detectives from the Inland Division Major Crimes Unit arrested George Gary Sanchez, 49, of Riverside, the driver of a Dodge Charger, shortly after the crash and immediately began searching for Terry Lamar Easter, 50, of Apple Valley, the driver of a Chevrolet Camaro who fled the scene.

Investigators determined that Sanchez and Easter were driving at extremely high speeds through a residential neighborhood before the crash. As the two vehicles approached the intersection of Ridgecrest Road and Elmwood Drive, an Acura TL carrying two teenage girls entered the intersection. A crash occurred when the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Charger struck the Acura TL, fatally injuring both teenagers.

As detectives searched for Easter, they arrested Ryan James Lewis, 45, of Victorville; Lukevy Shawntell Yates, 49, of Apple Valley; and Madge Wells, 74, of Apple Valley, on suspicion of being accessories after the fact under California Penal Code Section 32. All three cooperated with investigators and were later released.

Easter surrendered to law enforcement on the morning of Aug. 26, following a multiday effort by CHP investigators to locate him. Investigators booked Easter and Sanchez into the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Central Detention Center on charges of murder, in violation of California Penal Code 187(A), and gross vehicular manslaughter with negligence, in violation of California Penal Code section 192(C).

“The apprehension of these suspects reflects the CHP’s commitment to pursuing justice," said Chief Tariq Johnson, commander of the CHP Inland Division. "While nothing can erase the devastating loss of two young lives, we hope these arrests bring some measure of comfort to their families and send a clear message that those responsible for senseless acts will be held accountable.”