The suspect, identified as Lawrence Earl Aaseng, crashed into the pedestrian and another car at about 10 a.m. Friday. Riverside police said he drove his vehicle through a business parking lot in the 6000 block of Van Buren Boulevard and intentionally struck the elderly man, who was standing next to a tree. Aaseng then reversed his car and intentionally crashed into a green Nissan sedan before attempted to flee.
The elderly pedestrian, whose name was not released, was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died. The woman in the Nissan was not injured.
Aeseng was arrested and booked for murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
There was no word on a motive, and Aaseng told police he didn't know the man he fatally struck.
Anyone with information on the incident was urged to contact Detective Mike Medici at (951) 353-7104 or Detective James Brandt at (951) 353-7137.