Felony Hit and Run Suspect Arrested 

June 19, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on June 8, 2024, at 9:44 P.M., emergency personnel from the Moorpark Police Department, Ventura County Fire, and American Medical Response responded to a traffic collision at the intersection of Los Angeles Avenue and Tierra Rejada Road in the city of Moorpark.  The investigation determined a Honda Odyssey minivan was traveling west on Los Angeles Avenue when it was struck by a Ford Explorer that was travelling northbound on Tierra Rejada Road and ran the red light at the intersection.  As a result of the collision, the occupants of the Honda Odyssey sustained injuries and the Ford Explorer fled the scene.  The injured parties were transported to an area hospital for treatment.

As Moorpark patrol deputies were searching the surrounding areas for the Ford Explorer, they were flagged down by a resident in the 100 block of 2nd Street.  The resident stated a Ford Explorer, which matched the description of the vehicle involved in the earlier collision, had struck their dog and fled the area.  The dog was transported to an emergency vet clinic by the owner and unfortunately passed away from the injuries it sustained. 

Deputies later located the Ford Explorer unoccupied, parked in the 200 block of Ruth Avenue.  The Ford Explorer had significant damage that was consistent with having been involved in the collision on Los Angeles Avenue / Tierra Rejada Road.  The vehicle was seized as evidence and towed from the scene.  Evidence was obtained from inside the vehicle that assisted in identifying (S) Jesus Sanchez Valencia as the driver of the Ford Explorer.

On June 14, 2024, Sanchez Valencia was arrested and booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura for Felony and Misdemeanor Hit and Run for both collisions that occurred on June 8th.  Sanchez Valencia is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on June 28, 2024, at 8:15 A.M.

Anyone who witnessed or has information related to the traffic collisions is encouraged to contact Deputy Andrew Van Gundy at the Moorpark Police Department (805-532-2700).

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes.  We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

Join us in the fight against crime by following us on X @MOORPARKPD, Facebook – Ventura County Sheriff, Instagram @MOORPARKPD, and on Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office