DATE/TIME: January 26, 2024 / 8:26 p.m.
INCIDENT: UPDATE: Charges Filed for Fatal Hit-and-Run Traffic Collision
LOCATION: SR-62 (Twentynine Palms Highway) & Avalon Avenue, Town of Yucca Valley
SUSPECT(S): Troy Dean Reynolds, 57-year-old resident of Yucca Valley
VICTIM(S): Joshua Alexander Sanchez Barreras, 16-year-old resident of Yucca Valley
SUMMARY: On Friday, January 26, 2024, at about 8:26 p.m., Yucca Valley deputies were patrolling on SR-62 (Twentynine Palms Highway) when they discovered a teenage male unresponsive in the center median, east of Avalon Avenue. Deputies immediately rendered medical aid, and the male was transported to Hi-Desert Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. The male was later identified as 16-year-old Joshua Barreras. Evidence at the scene indicated a vehicle had struck Barreras and the the Morongo Basin Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) assumed the investigation.
The Morongo Basin Station Detective Bureau investigated leads and evidence was located that revealed a white Dodge Ram truck was involved. Through investigation, detectives identified the driver as Troy Dean Reynolds, who was driving a Dodge Ram 5500 tow truck. After the collision, Reynolds made no effort to report the collision to law enforcement and instead made extensive efforts to conceal his involvement. Detectives followed further leads and recovered parts from Reynolds’ truck, consistent with the collision, at a body shop in Riverside County, where the parts were removed shortly after the hit-and-run.
The Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station prepared the case and submitted it to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. This morning the District Attorney filed a felony complaint charging Reynolds with hit and run resulting in death to another person in violation of Vehicle Code 20001. Through agreement with Reynolds’ defense counsel and the District Attorney, Reynolds is scheduled to surrender in court for booking and arraignment on the felony complaint on February 27, 2024.
If you have any further information related to this investigation, please contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME.
Refer: Detective S. Crowl
Station: SBCSD Morongo Basin Station
Phone No. 760-366-4175
Case No. 232400168
Sheriff's Public Affairs
Station: Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station
Phone No. 760-366-4175