Justice sought in father of two's hit-and-run death in Pomona on 10 Fwy

BALDWIN PARK, Calif. (KABC) -- Dwayne Armenta's family is looking for closure, following the 36-year-old man's hit-and-run death last month on the 10 Freeway in Pomona.

"I just want justice for my son because he was not a dog to just leave behind like a rag," Armenta's mother, Sandra Sanchez, said.

The father of two was struck after his vehicle was stranded on the 10 Freeway on the morning before Thanksgiving around 2:30 a.m. near the Kellogg Dr. exit in Pomona.

"He exited his vehicle, he was on the opposite side of the road and he tried to cross the lanes," California Highway Patrol Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said. "When he was doing that, that's when the other vehicle that fled the scene subsequently crashed with the party."

According to authorities, the driver who struck Armenta initially pulled over, but when a second vehicle stopped to help, the driver fled the scene.

"The way he died is what is really hurting me because the fact that under that construction there is no shoulder, no emergency lane," Sanchez said.

The family said Armenta texted for help and waited an hour before deciding to step out of his vehicle.

They now ask for the driver to surrender.

"You have to do what's right, you have a conscience. You pulled over, and all our family wants is for you to turn yourself in so we can have some closure," Armenta's sister, Melinda Bustos, said.

Authorities said the vehicle involved was described as a dark-colored SUV.

Armenta leaves behind a 16-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. His funeral service will be held Friday.

The event marks the second fatality under similar circumstances in the area in the past two weeks, according to police.

Caltrans officials said once construction is complete, that portion of the freeway will have emergency lanes on both sides.