Derek Verdugo, 25-Year-Old From La Habra, Killed by Apparent Facebook Friend in Hit-and-Run Crash

By Simone Wilson Thu., Jul. 28 2011 at 8:15 AM

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Derek Verdugo

Update: Verdugo's friends have emailed us to say that, contrary to reports, he and Ortiz were actually riding in the same car when the accident happened. One commenter says that "Derek and Ortiz were good friends for years." R.I.P.

Originally posted July 27 at 10:30 a.m.

A young man who previously attended La Habra High School was killed in a car accident with another La Habra man -- who appears to be the victim's friend on Facebook -- late Monday night.

Around 11:30 p.m., City News Service reports that 25-year-old Derek Verdugo, the victim, collided with a Nissan Sentra driven by 24-year-old Erik Nicholas Ortiz near South Towne and East Franklin Avenues, at the northeast corner of the Pomona Cemetery.

Pomona police say officers rushed to the scene after receiving reports that a vehicle had flipped and its driver had been ejected.

"During the initial investigation, it was determined that a male subject had been seen running from the scene,'' Corporal Bert Sanchez told City News. "Dispatch also began receiving prowler calls, and a search for this subject was conducted. However, these efforts were unsuccessful.''

Since then, though, investigators were able to determine that Ortiz had been the hit-and-run driver. He's being held at county jail under $50,000 bail.

On what appears to be Ortiz' Facebook profile, he's listed as a CSU Fullerton graduate and current "aircraft powerplant repairer" for the Army National Guard. Verdugo, who is online friends with Ortiz, has received a stream of regrets and "R.I.P."s on his wall today, including:

Verdugo appears to have been a musician and regular Coachella head. The tagline on his Care2 profile reads: "To make this world a better place in any way that I can, and Im well on my way : )". And under "What Scares Me," he writes, "how cruel the people of the world are."

Did you know Verdugo or Ortiz, or have any idea what happened Monday night? Let us know.

[@simone_electra/swilson@laweekly.com]

Tags:

Derek Verdugo, Erik Ortiz, hit and run, La Habra, Pomona

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Carlos

I met Derek's mom today and that's how I found out about what had happened to him. It broke my heart because as she was telling me about his life and the event, she broke into tears. I gave her my condolences and said I'd pray for her. RIP Derek.

Mdmd

simone wilson what is a joke why would you put a link to my friends facebook page you don't know him those are personal comments that you exploited for a story you should get a job at u.s. weekly this is a tragedy not some tmz be

nm88

definitely agree with thos who say this article isnt acurate..derek was my cousin truly missing him rightnow:/

Adam Mayes

He was so happy after seeing his favorite band.

Adam Mayes

I saw Derek just before this happened and can't for the life of me figure out why they were East of the venue, when La Habra is the other direction. I love you little brother.

Pixiegram

Wow. This is REALLY shoddy reporting. Basically, a Google search was conducted on Verdugo and bits and pieces from other reports were extrapolated and used for this one. Anyone can go to his Facebook page and piece together a badly-written report based on the information that's on there.

Not real reporting at all.

Nellyboo279

R.I.P Derek u was the nicest person with a big smile always on your face. And that's how I will always think of u. My condolences go out to the family

Joecrecords

Can someone please say what really happened? We love you DMan R.I.P.

Money_sex_women

Not an accurate article

Jamie the Great

I guess Im going to unfriend the drunks on my facebook page now..so if one of them happens to kill me, the Media wont poke hidden Jokes on My dead expense...Simone Wilson is starting to come off as a tabloid Writter instead of a serious compassionate one.