Loved ones are devastated after a 19-year-old nursing student was killed by a suspected DUI driver in San Bernardino County.
Larenz Fondren was pursuing his passion and was two months away from graduating and becoming a licensed vocational nurse.
Larenz’s family said working in healthcare was his dream, inspired by his own lifelong battle with sickle cell disease.
On May 2, he was on his way to work at a clinical rotation when he crossed the road near Washington Street and Center Drive in Colton shortly before 7 a.m.
Surveillance video captured the moment Larenz, who was dressed in scrubs, crossed the street and was suddenly struck by a speeding driver.
“My son flew 20 feet in the air,” Wayne Fondren, Larenz’s father, told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson. “When I went out there, it was him. I just cried, I couldn’t do anything. Just imagine that’s your son or someone else’s. The pain, what I’m feeling. He took my son’s life.”
Police said Larenz was later struck by multiple cars after the initial impact.
The driver, Antonio Medrano, 30, of Colton, was arrested at the scene for gross vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence and for driving without a license.
He was booked on $100,000 bail. Two days later, Medrano paid the bail and was released. After learning the suspect was out on the streets again, the victim’s family said they were beyond outraged.
“My question is, how do you kill somebody on Friday and get out Sunday morning?” Wayne said. “With a DUI and your license having been suspended numerous times and now you’ve killed my son.”
A spokesperson with the Colton Police Department said the crash remained under investigation as they awaited toxicology results.
But nearly a month later, family members said they have yet to receive an update.
“They did say that [the suspect] openly admitted to smoking marijuana,” said Felisha Fondren, the victim’s sister.
Video on social media showed the suspect’s car, which appeared to be a custom-painted blue and white Dodge Challenger, allegedly speeding in the bike lane moments before striking Larenz.
According to court records, Medrano has a reckless driving history, which includes previous infractions for speeding.
The 19-year-old’s family said they hope the suspect is convicted and removed from the streets before another person is hurt or killed.
“We want justice for Larenz Fondren, that’s all we want, is justice,” Wayne said.
“There was no bad part about him,” said Felisha Fondren, the victim’s mother. “Not just saying that because he’s our son. If you talk to anybody [about him,] you would know that.”
The Fondren family will be holding a public event at Cal Skate in Grand Terrace on June 7 to celebrate what would have been Lorenz’s 20th birthday.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said they are aware of the case and is awaiting final reports to review before deciding whether to file charges.
Anyone with information on the case can contact Detective Isabel Jaramillo at 909-370-5142 or or email [email protected].
Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.
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