KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
A Canyon Country woman was arrested Thursday night, when she became involved in a hit and run crash that sent a motorcyclist to the hospital.
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Kimberlee Paniza, 23, was driving northbound on Sierra Highway, just south of Sand Canyon Road, when Paniza collided into Santa Clarita resident Richard Romero, 50, and ejected him from his motorcycle at approximately 9:15 p.m., according to CHP officials.
Preliminary investigation by CHP has determined that Paniza made a U-turn directly into the path of Romero, throwing him off of his motorcycle and onto the roadway as a result of the collision.
Paniza had then allegedly attempted to flee the scene, according to officials, by driving southbound on Sierra Highway. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies had already detained Paniza by the time CHP had arrived.
Get live news updates about Santa Clarita by following KHTS on Facebook and KHTS on TwitterIt was then that CHP officers noticed Paniza to have symptoms of alcohol intoxication, investigated the situation and arrested her for suspicion of DUI.
Romero was immediately transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital where he is currently being treated for major injuries, according to CHP officials.
Sierra Highway was then closed between Sand Canyon Road and Fitch Street for approximately two hours to process the scene.
The collision is still under investigation.
Paniza is due in court Monday and is currently being held at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station in lieu of $100,000.
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Sorry to hear about the motorcyclist. I’m glad they caught that terrible woman who tried to flee! This has become an epidemic here in SCV, along with cars hitting pedestrians, and it’s gotta stop! I think they should up the punishment big-time for these serious crimes! I personally think DUI punishment should increase a LOT also, and texting/using a phone as well! Crank it up and make it more of a deterrent for crying out loud! Mandatory prison time in addition to everything else! Most importantly though, we need a BUNCH of traffic cops just dealing with everyday problems here!
This happened to my family. Richard is now in a coma. I think a picture of him should be taken and brought to her hearing on Monday to show her what she did! So many lives have now been changed forever. He was just headed home from his classes at coc. This is tragic! Please pray for him and his wife daughter son sister nephew and grandbaby?
God Bless you all! I am so sorry to hear of this situation, and will pray fro the family for rapid healing and peace. A sense of responsibility while driving and after making mistakes is so important. I personally think that a very serious charge should occur and that we all need to make it the norm to be 100% responsible for our actions–teach this to our children. reward people who fess up, those who don’t make one wrong inot another by lying, deceiving, fleeing.
Also, I think Sheriffs should put a lot of pressure on restaurants and bars to cut off drinkers when they’re obviously drunk. Fine the hell out of them, and publish the names of the establishments. Three strikes and take away their liquor licenses or something!
It’s ridiculous when Uber and Lyft are easy and affordable!
There is an epidemic of unlawful driving up here. Students leaving both campuses of COC drive like maniacs, parents driving kids to school while texting and talking , left turn arrows turn red with 3 or 4 more cars going through, u turns being made with no u turn posted and it goes on and on with hardly ever seeing a deputy writing a citation too busy writing accident reports. Maybe the commander of the station should try getting up and seeing what goes on.
The 2 female deputy buddies when they park on Sierra Hwy occasionally usually park their SUV’s where they can be seen for a mile in either direction and are always bs ing.
Too much emphasis by police on radar traps. Meanwhile reckless driving occurs. Drive Bouquet Canyon North at evening rush hour- sudden lane changes w/o signal, cutting people off, weaving in and out at unsafe speeds, etc. patrolling and looking for careless and reckless driving should be the emphasis. Sitting in a radar trap doesn’t make up for patrolling and stopping aggressive unsafe driving. IMHO
I hope the rider calls an attorney.
I’m an Uber driver at night. I stopped driving in Santa Clarita and now drive in Northridge. The people in Santa Clarita are mean drunks. Especially from Scooners. Santa Clarita is known by Uber drivers as the DUI capital and many of the passengers I used to pick up have more than one. They tell their stories to me. I drive many cities. What they have that we don’t have? Speed bumps. Our neighborhoods do not have speed bumps.
The motorcyclist died today as a result of his injuries.
It is with a heavy heart that Richard Romero has left us ……please pray for his family!