The grieving father of a 12-year-old boy killed in an ATV crash in the San Bernardino County desert pleaded with the hit-and-run driver to come forward Thursday as he shared his son's plans for the future.
Twelve-year-old Jacob Martinez, nicknamed Jakey-Jake, and his 11-year-old friend Christina Bird were killed July 2 in an off-road crash in the Apple Valley desert. A cross was placed at the site about 90 miles northeast of Los Angeles in memory of the two children.
"My son had a lot of hopes and dreams," said Humberto Martinez. "One of his main goals was to become a doctor so he could take care of his dad when he was old.
"He was just an innocent boy."
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The crash happened during a July 4 weekend camping trip with family and friends in the Stoddard Valley OHV Area. The children were riding an ATV at about 9 p.m. near the campsite when they were struck by another vehicle.
Jacob's helmet flew off, and he died at the scene, family members said. Christina died Wednesday at a hospital.
The driver of the other vehicle stopped briefly, but then turned off the headlights and slowly drove away from the scene, witnesses said. A front fender from the vehicle was left at the scene.
"Come out of hiding," Martinez said, addressing the hit-and-run driver. "Stop being a coward."
CHP investigators said Friday they recovered a 2021 orange Polaris Razor Turbo S or S4 believed to be involved in the crash. The ATV was recovered Thursday evening at an Apple Valley home.
No arrests were reported.
CHP investigators are asking anyone with information about the case to give them a call.
