Hit-And-Run Driver Sentenced To 16 Months For San Jacinto Crash

SAN JACINTO, CA — A 40-year-old man who caused a major injury crash while speeding through San Jacinto, then fled the scene, was bound for state prison Tuesday to serve a 16-month term.

Charles Edgar Bidinger III of San Jacinto last month admitted a charge of hit-and-run resulting in great bodily injury. The Riverside County District Attorney's Office did not dismiss any counts under the plea agreement.

During a hearing Friday at the Banning Justice Center, Superior Court Judge Francisco Navarro imposed the stipulated sentence.

According to Sgt. Christopher Loucks of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, just before 10 p.m. on June 22, the defendant was driving a blue Kia "at a high rate of speed eastbound on the Ramona Expressway" when he began going around slower traffic, periodically steering into the westbound lane.

"While the driver was attempting to pass a silver Chevrolet, the two vehicles collided, pushing the Chevrolet off the roadway, where it overturned," Loucks said.

He said Bidinger never slowed down, continuing eastbound.

The victim at the wheel of the Chevy, whose identity was not disclosed, suffered extensive injuries and was hospitalized in critical condition, according to the sergeant. The party has since recovered.

"The San Jacinto sheriff's station would like to thank members of the public who provided statements to investigators after this collision occurred," Loucks said. "Their assistance helped to identify Bidinger."

The defendant was summoned to the station the following morning, where he was questioned by detectives, after which he was booked into the Banning jail.

Court records show he had a misdemeanor conviction from 2008 for driving under the influence.