Driver Accused Of Hitting, Killing Hemet Pedestrian Surrenders

HEMET, CA — A hit-and-run motorist suspected of fatally striking a 46-year-old pedestrian in Hemet surrendered to police Wednesday.

Andrew Adam Hampton, 23, turned himself in about 10:45 Wednesday morning at the Hemet Police Department, and he was booked into the Hemet Jail on suspicion of murder, according to Sgt. Gabriel Gomez.

The victim, James Gauthier Jr., an area transient, was hit about 7:40 p.m. Friday in the 3200 block of Warley Road, near Johnston Avenue, Gomez said.

He was left lying in the street as the hit-and-run driver of a black Dodge Challenger sped away in the two-door sports car, the sergeant said.

Hemet Fire Department paramedics attempted life-saving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, Gomez said.

— By City News Service