James Norman Obituary, Death; – A man has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly stealing a vehicle from a 79-year-old man at a carwash in Norco and dragging him for approximately half a mile, resulting in the victim’s death.
Ryan Hewitt, a resident of Corona, appeared in court on Wednesday facing charges of carjacking and first-degree murder related to the incident that occurred on May 12. His arraignment has been postponed to May 27. On Monday at around 12:30 p.m., a witness reported to the sheriff’s department that they observed a man entering the driver’s seat of a vehicle and driving away while the owner was still partially in the back seat.
According to investigators, the victim was vacuuming his car at a carwash near the Arco gas station on Hidden Valley Parkway when the suspect jumped into the driver’s seat and fled. Officials from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department stated that the victim was thrown from the vehicle after being dragged for about half a mile. The Corona police discovered the man after he fell from the car, and he was transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Deputies later found the stolen vehicle and apprehended the suspect. “During the investigation, the victim’s SUV was found unoccupied near the intersection of Polk Street and Magnolia Avenue in Riverside,” deputies reported. “Investigators collaborated closely with the Riverside Police Department and ultimately detained a male near the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Tyler Street.” The victim has been identified as James Norman, a resident of Corona, who was affectionately known as Jim by friends and family, and was a cherished father, grandfather, and Army veteran.
