Man Charged with Hit-and-Run and DUI

By Patric Hedlund

Two hit-and-run accidents allegedly caused by Frazier Park residents occurred Saturday, June 23 and both may have involved intoxicated drivers.

One on Los Padres Drive in Frazier Park resulted in property damage and minor injuries; the other, in Santa Ana, took the life of a 5-year-old girl. Her mother and sister have critical head injuries and are still fighting for their lives, authorities reported.

Santa Ana, California police say witnesses saw Jessica Louise Cowan, 33 run a red light at high speed about 11 a.m. Saturday, hitting a mother and two children crossing the street. Osmara Meza, 5 was killed at the scene. Her mother Eloisa Madrigal, 45 and her sister Grecia Meza, 6 were critically injured.

Cowan then sped from the scene, police allege, followed by a ‘good samaritan’ who cut her off until officers arrived. Charges of manslaughter, felony hit-and-run and driving under the influence have been filed.

In Frazier Park at about 6:45 p.m., Cody Peterson swerved on Los Padres Drive into oncoming traffic near San Miguel Trail, hitting a vehicle driven by Juan Velasquez head-on. Peterson’s “left front tire was gone, but he fled the scene,” reported California Highway Patrol Officer Adriaan Garcia. Residents flagged down CHP to help intercept Peterson. He was arrested for hit-and-run and felony DUI near North End Trail. Velasquez was transported to Henry Mayo Hospital with minor injuries. Peterson’s 11-year-old minor passenger was uninjured.

This is part of the June 29, 2012 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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