A 22-year-old man from Los Angeles was found dead in a Jurupa Valley roadway early Saturday morning, February 21, 2026, after being struck by a hit-and-run driver who fled the scene and remains at large. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and Coroner’s Office have identified the victim as Sean Heiderich, whose life was violently ended on a stretch of road near the intersection of Van Buren Boulevard and Jurupa Road.
Deputies responded to reports of a traffic collision involving a pedestrian just after midnight, at approximately 12:03 a.m., and arrived to find Heiderich lying in the street suffering from major traumatic injuries.
Riverside County Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced Heiderich deceased at the location, as his injuries proved insurmountable. Investigators determined that the driver who struck Heiderich fled the area immediately following the collision, and despite an extensive search of the surrounding neighborhoods, deputies were unable to locate the suspect or the vehicle involved.
The investigation prompted the temporary closure of Van Buren Boulevard between Jurupa Road and Limonite Avenue as deputies processed the scene, documented evidence, and conducted their initial inquiry. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has not released information regarding whether alcohol or drugs may have been contributing factors, and the cause of the crash remains under active investigation. As of the latest updates, no arrests have been announced, and officials have withheld additional details pending the completion of their investigative work.
Heiderich’s death represents a devastating loss for his family in Los Angeles, who now face the painful reality of a young life cut short by a driver who chose to flee rather than render aid. Under California law, leaving the scene of a crash that causes injury or death is a felony offense, requiring any driver involved to stop, provide identification, and offer reasonable assistance to those injured. The legal stakes for the driver, if found, could include significant prison time and other penalties.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has urged anyone with information about the collision or the driver responsible to contact Deputy Vawter directly at 951-776-1099 or reach the Jurupa Valley Station at 951-955-2600. Investigators are particularly interested in any sightings of a sedan with fresh front-end damage in the area around the time of the crash.
As the community grapples with this tragedy, the family of Sean Heiderich holds onto memories of a 22-year-old man whose life was stolen on a Jurupa Valley roadway, while authorities continue their search for the driver who left him lying in the street and disappeared into the night.
