Yuba County Man Gets 9 Years, 8 Months in Prison for Hit-and-Run Death of Girl, 13
A Yuba County man involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision that occurred on January 14, 2023, has reportedly been sentenced to nine years and eight months in state prison.
According to a press release by the Yuba County District Attorney’s Office, 23-year-old Justin Taylor Preston of Marysville was convicted for his role in the incident that resulted in the death of 13-year-old Jastelyn Hernandez Garcia.
The Marysville Police Department (MPD) responded to the collision on B Street near 24th Street following a distress call. The incident involved a dark green vehicle striking two pedestrians walking along the shoulder. One of the victims, Carlos Rodriguez Camarillo, 15, sustained severe injuries. The other victim, Garcia, did not survive.
Eyewitnesses and video surveillance from a nearby business aided the investigation and revealed that the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Preston, fled the scene without offering assistance.
Investigators officers located the suspect vehicle five days later. The vehicle, described as a Ford pickup truck, had a damaged front passenger headlight covered with a blanket. It was reportedly found parked at Preston’s residence.
During an interview, Preston reportedly admitted being aware of the collision but claimed he believed he had struck a piece of furniture. He mentioned impaired visibility due to an inoperable windshield defroster as a contributing factor. However, the California Highway Patrol inspection confirmed that the truck’s defroster was fully functional.
On February 22, 2023, Justin Taylor Preston pleaded no contest to charges of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run resulting in injury. He also admitted an enhancement for fleeing after the vehicular manslaughter. Preston, who had no prior criminal history, expressed remorse by writing letters of condolence to the affected families.
On Thursday, June 8, Preston received a sentence of nine years and eight months in state prison, following consideration of the evidence and the gravity of the charges.
Meanwhile, Carlos Rodriguez Camarillo continues to recover at hospital.
