RIVERSIDE – A Hesperia man was killed in a hit-and-run crash only days before his 26th birthday and his friend, who was from Victorville also lost his life as a result of the crash. Three friends, including Christopher Morales, 25, of Hesperia, Desmond Franklin, 26, of Victorville, and Morales’ girlfriend, who is in her 20’s decided to go out for a night on the town to celebrate Morales’ upcoming birthday.
At around 3:15 a.m. on Saturday, June 9, 2018, Nissan Sentra being driven by Morales’ girlfriend was making a left turn from Market Street to enter the 60 freeway onramp when a Jeep Grand Cherokee driving southbound slammed into the Nissan. The vehicle, which was driven by Eric Alfredo Figueroa-Reyes, 22, of Fontana, then fled the scene of the crash on foot. He was later arrested for Hit-and-Run at Arrowhead Regional Hospital.
Morales died at the scene as a result of his injuries, Franklin was transported to Riverside Community Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries at around 3:54 a.m. Morales’ girlfriend suffered moderate injuries and is expected to recover fully from her injuries. The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Friends of Morales have started a Go Fund Me account to help his family with the costs of his funeral.
