Blue Jay resident Kevin White has been identified as the victim in the hit-and-run accident on Highway 189. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Griggs)

Victim in fatal hit-and-run identified

By Mary-Justine Lanyon

The coroner’s office has identified the victim in the March 16 fatal hit-and-run accident on Highway 189 as Kevin James White, 64, a resident of Blue Jay.

According to White’s neighbor, Lisa Griggs, he was on his way home from Blue Jay Village and was only about four houses from his home when he was struck.

“Kevin walked this road for 30 years,” Griggs said.

Unfortunately, due to the high berms caused by the recent series of storms, visibility was extremely poor in that section of the highway. “Even if you saw a car coming,” Griggs noted, “there was nowhere to jump out of the way. There is no shoulder.

“What upsets me,” she added, “is I have been a loud advocate in the community. I kept telling them – the CHP, the sheriff – about the safety issues. I asked them to get a handle on 189.”

There are many pedestrians walking in that section of the highway, Griggs said. Residents of that neighborhood walk to the village to go to the shops and restaurants.

“I told them this was an accident waiting to happen. I felt like no one was listening to me. People fly down the road and there is no lighting. I don’t understand why people are in such a hurry driving through Blue Jay.”

Griggs added she had just seen White walking toward Rite-Aid at about 5:30 p.m. on March 16 and another neighbor had talked to him at the post office.

“Kevin was very mindful of the cars,” Griggs said. “He would wait for cars to pass – he would stop and wave at them to go by.

“He was the sweetest man – so kind and fully present with whoever he was with,” Griggs said of her neighbor. “He was always talking about Jesus and how Jesus loves you. He always had a message of hope every time you would see him.

“He didn’t deserve what happened to him,” Griggs added. “I hope the person responsible comes forward.”

A witness to the accident was in shock and only able to tell the CHP that their impression of the vehicle was that it was a dark-colored SUV, which did not stop after striking White. The CHP is investigating and has been seeking the public’s help. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Officer R. Jedlick or Officer D. Gibson at the Arrowhead CHP office at (909) 867-2791.

“RIP, Kevin,” Griggs said. “You were a bright light in a dark world.”