18-year-old arrested in violent hit-and-run crash in Pomona that killed 2, critically injured 1

POMONA, Calif. (KABC) -- An 18-year-old who police believe triggered a violent hit-and-run crash in Pomona, killing two people and critically injuring another, has been arrested.

Erik Elias Perez was arrested Monday, according to police. He's been booked and charged with vehicular manslaughter, grand theft auto and hit-and-run resulting in death.

He was taken into custody after he checked himself into a hospital in neighboring Montclair, authorities said.

The crash was reported at 8:45 p.m. Sunday on Garey Avenue north of Bonita Avenue. Three people were trapped in the wreckage of an overturned SUV, police said.

A man and a woman who were the driver and front-seat passenger of an SUV were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Firefighters freed a woman believed to be in her 50s or 60s from a back seat and took her to a hospital in critical condition.

Bill Ryczek, who lives in the area, described the collision as "horrific."

"I ran up over the fence, saw everything in disarray and upside down," he said. "I jumped off. I was first on scene. Everything was chaotic ... the gentleman that was upside down was completely unconscious. He was not moving. He was not in good shape."

News video from the scene showed the wreckage of the overturned SUV in the street and a car on the sidewalk that had crashed into a tree.

Two people were killed and another person was critically injured in a violent hit-and-run crash in Pomona Sunday night, police said.

Police said the driver suspected of causing the crash fled the scene but Ryczek said he tried chasing him down.

"He was grabbing his backpack or duffle bag, making a run for it away from the scene," Ryczek recalled. "Everyone was saying that he was the one who caused the accident. I chased him down to the local apartments. I lost him and then police tried to find him."

On Monday afternoon, neighbors like Andres Rico showed to the site of the crash to honor the victims.

"I just hits close to home, I just thought I pay my respects to the people who didn't come home last night," he said. "It could have been anyone last night. I see the mess out here and it's very sad."

The department's Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the crash and anyone with information was urged to call 909-802-7741 or 909-620-2048.

City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.