Woman Arrested After Fleeing the Scene of Collision Killing Apple Valley Man

HESPERIA – A Hesperia woman was arrested on Thursday for a fatal hit and run traffic collision that killed a 29-year-old Apple Valley man last month.

On September 12, 2018, at around 7:50 p.m., a traffic collision at the Main Street and Cottonwood Avenue intersection in the City of Hesperia was reported. When deputies from the Hesperia Sheriff’s station arrived they found the motorcyclist, later identified as Jerry Romero, 29, lying in the roadway near his motorcycle. Witnesses reported that a second vehicle was involved in the collision but the vehicle fled west on Main Street. Romero sustained major injuries and despite lifesaving efforts at the scene, he was pronounced dead. A search was conducted for the suspect in a white SUV, but the vehicle was not located.

Deputies learned that the motorcyclist was driving east on Main Street in the #1 lane on his 2018 Harley Davidson when the SUV exited a nearby business driveway. The vehicle drove into the path of the motorcycle. Unable to avoid the collision, the motorcycle struck the SUV and Romero was ejected. The suspect fled the scene, leaving without concern for Romero.

Surveillance footage was captured and obtained by deputies and witnesses also were able to help with the positive identification as 31-year-old Leann Nadia Barron, also known as Leann Nadia Ohayon. It was also determined that she knowingly fled the scene and later abandoned her vehicle at a home on C Avenue in Hesperia. A search warrant was obtained and the search was done of the property, with the vehicle and additional evidence being found.

Leaving her vehicle behind, Barron fled the area. An arrest warrant was issued on September 13, 2018, and a $1,000,000 arrest warrant was issued for Manslaughter Barron was located leaving a Los Angeles home near 8th Street and Vermont Street on October 4, 2018, at around 1:30 p.m. and she was taken into custody. She was booked into the West Valley Detention Center for Voluntary Manslaughter and is being held in lieu of $1,000,000 bail. She is scheduled to appear at the Victorville Superior Court on Tuesday, October 9, 2018.

Investigators are continuing to investigate if anyone knowingly assisted Ohayon in avoiding her capture. Any persons identified as assisting her will face criminal charges.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy Dustin Whitson or Sergeant Doug Hubbard at the Hesperia Station. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or www.wetip.com

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