RivCo man accused of intentionally running over and killing two pedestrians

RIVERSIDE, CA – A Nov. 14 trial date was confirmed Wednesday for a 25-year-old man accused of intentionally running over and killing two pedestrians in a Moreno Valley neighborhood.

Edgar Ivan Garcia of Mead Valley allegedly killed 29-year-old junior Rafael Gonzalez and 39-year-old Pedro Cortes Rodriguez in 2019.

Garcia is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of hit-and-run resulting in death, a special circumstance allegation of causing loss of life and a felony charge of using a deadly weapon – a vehicle. – when committing a crime and fleeing the scene.

During a pretrial conference Wednesday at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Joshlyn Pulliam consulted with the prosecution and defense about scheduling, and both sides agreed to work on clarifying trial dates November to work.

The defendant is being held without bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Rick Espinoza, in the early morning hours of October 18, 2019, Gonzalez and Rodriguez were walking through the parking lot of a business in the 24000 block of Alessandro Boulevard, near Heacock Street, when Garcia allegedly drove his pickup truck into them.

A possible motive for the attack was not disclosed.

After meeting the victims, Garcia allegedly fled the scene, Espinoza said.

Paramedics arrived within minutes and pronounced Gonzalez dead at the scene. Rodriguez was taken to nearby Riverside University Medical Center, where he remained in a coma for nine days before succumbing to his injuries.

Investigators soon found evidence that Garcia was the suspected attacker, Espinoza said, without elaborating.

The defendant was stopped and arrested without a fight four days after the alleged attack in the area of ​​Day and Nance streets in Moreno Valley.

There are no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

– City intelligence service