Hit and Run involves undocumented immigrant and results in Lake Elsinore senior’s Death
Lake Elsinore, California - On Sunday, November 4, 2007 around 4:07pm officers from the Lake Elsinore Police Department responded to an unknown injury collision at the intersection of Lakeshore and Avenue 6 involving two pick up trucks. While en route, officers were informed that one of the drivers of the involved vehicles had fled the scene on foot before getting into another vehicle and fleeing.Upon arriving on scene, officers discovered a deceased male subject pinned underneath one of the involved vehicles. A description of the other involved driver as well as the vehicle that picked him up was broadcast and a search of the area was initiated, which included the assistance of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Helicopter.
The vehicle in which the other involved driver had fled in was spotted by the helicopter crew, which directed officers to its location. The vehicle was stopped and the driver detained. Information was obtained as to the whereabouts of the wanted driver of the other involved vehicle. Officers we able to locate that driver and later detained him at an address in Lake Elsinore. Numerous eyewitnesses were able to positively identify the driver whom fled as well as the truck he had fled in. The driver was identified as Isaac Flores-Palacios, age 32, an undocumented immigrant residing in Lake Elsinore. The Lake Elsinore Police Department’s Traffic Reconstruction Team responded to assume the investigation.
The initial investigation reveals Flores-Palacios was traveling westbound Lakeshore in a 1998 Ford Ranger owned by his employer. Following Flores-Palacios in a green 1991 Toyota was his brother-in-law, Javier Delfino-Hernandez, age 29 of Homeland. Upon nearing the intersection with Avenue 6, a 1986 maroon Toyota, driven by Ben Hernandez, age 66 of Lake Elsinore turned left in front of Flores-Palacios. At the intersection, the Ford Ranger collided with Hernandez’ vehicle. Hernandez was ejected and later pronounced dead at the scene.
After the collision, Flores-Palacios was able to exit his vehicle, at which time he ran westbound on Lakeshore where he was picked up by Delfino-Hernandez and fled. Flores-Palacios attempted to have the vehicle reported as stolen in an attempt to cover up his involvement in the collision. Flores-Palacios was arrested for hit and run causing death as well as driving while intoxicated. Delfino-Hernandez was arrested for being an accessory for assisting Flores-Palacios in fleeing the collision scene. Delfino-Hernandez was found to be on probation for a previous D.U.I. and had a warrant for his arrest regarding a deportation order. This investigation is on going.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to contact the Lake Elsinore Police Department at (951) 245-3300