Person of interest named in fatal Orange County hit and run of motorcyclist

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- Detectives have named a person of interest in the search for a hit-and-run driver who killed a motorcyclist in Orange County.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department said 41-year-old Damon Block was wanted so investigators could speak to him about the crash.

"We believe he has the most information or a story to tell about what happened on Santiago Canyon Road," Lt. Mark Stichter with the sheriff's department said.

MORE: Son of victims asks driver in OC fatal hit-run to come forward

Authorities said Block was the man spotted in security video at a Santa Ana tow yard stealing a Honda Accord on Aug. 1.

Just three hours after the car theft, deputies said the Honda collided with a motorcycle on the windy roads in Modjeska Canyon.

Paramedics rushed the two people on the motorcycle to the hospital. Joanne Ketter suffered serious injuries, but her 55-year-old husband, Drew Ketter, died at the hospital.

"Just the rock. I mean, we always leaned on him. So we're a little lost right now," Jeanette Ketter, the daughter of Drew Ketter said.

The Honda involved in the crash ended up on the side of the road and the driver ran away, according to officials.

The sheriff's department launched a search, but never found anyone.

"It would just be nice to know who did it, just to have justice for my dad," Jeannette Ketter said.

Though the sheriff's department only called Block a person of interest, they spoke about his long criminal history.

"Assault with a deadly weapon, narcotics violations, domestic violence, driving under the influence, hit and run, and auto theft," Stichter listed.

At the time of the crash, deputies said block was out on bond after being arrested in July for auto theft.

A $25,000 felony warrant was issued for Block for an unrelated case, deputies said.

The Ketter family pleaded for the driver to come forward.

"To ask whoever's responsible, to please just turn yourself in," Jeanette Ketter said.

If you have any information on Block's whereabouts, you're asked to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department at (714) 647-7000.