A 35-year-old Riverside man was behind bars Monday on suspicion of a fatal crash into a Garden Grove house early Sunday.
The suspect, Jadir Salazar Montano, crashed a 2019 Toyota Camry into the bedroom of a home in the 11800 block of Magnolia Street around 1:55 a.m. Sunday, according to police. The victim was identified as 40-year-old Janet Carrillo, described as a beloved mother, wife, and best friend who “touched countless lives with her kindness, love and generosity,” her sister-in-law Linda Pena wrote on GoFundMe.
Police received multiple calls of a hit-and-run, and when officers arrived, witnesses pointed to the suspect, who left the scene and was arrested without incident, police said.
Carillo’s brother-in-law, Esteban Gomez, 57, who lives adjacent to the residence, said he chased Montano two blocks down on foot after he attempted to flee the scene. Three other witnesses, who were in a car together, also drove after the suspect.
Gomez said he heard a loud slam from the crash and went outside to see what happened. Montano, who appeared to be under the influence, made a phone call and told the person “he just killed someone,” Gomez said.
Carillo and her husband Oswaldo were inside the bedroom when the crash occurred. Their two teenage sons were in another room.
Carrillo was trapped by the vehicle that crashed into her home and was later pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Her husband was also injured, according to GoFundMe.
On Monday afternoon, remnants of the crash remained visible in the front yard of the yellow-tagged home. The gaping hole left behind had been boarded up, with a row of flowers and candles lying underneath.
“It really hit everyone to know this happened to her,” Pena said. The day of the fatal crash, Pena had planned to meet Carrillo later that afternoon for a Mother’s Day Celebration.
Police allege the suspect was apparently under the influence and that it appears to have contributed to the crash.
A fundraiser to help support the victim’s family will be held Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 from 8 a.m. at 14510 Pontlavoy Avenue in Norwalk. Enchiladas, birria, pozole and other dishes will be sold.
