Alleged 2x Hit-Run Driver in Mercedes Flees from Calimesa to San Bernardino

A 20-year-old Cathedral City woman allegedly crashed a Mercedes into two different vehicles Wednesday and led deputies on a pursuit from Calimesa to San Bernardino, where she surrendered near Hospitality Lane, a sheriff's sergeant said.

Azita Oshidari, 20, of Cathedral City was arrested on suspicion of felony evading, assault with a deadly weapon, and leaving the scene of an accident, and booked at Smith Correctional in Banning, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

About 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, deputies assigned to Calimesa responded to a report of a hit-and-run driver in the area of Calimesa Boulevard and Avenue L, Sgt. Wilson Padilla of Calimesa Police and the sheriff's Cabazon Station said.

On their way to the hit-and-run location, deputies received a report of a witness following the suspect vehicle - described as a gray 1989 Mercedes Benz 300 sedan - west on Calimesa Boulevard, Padilla said.

Deputies responded to the witness report but the suspect driver – later identified as Oshidari - allegedly stopped the Mercedes, put it in reverse and deliberately rammed the trailing witness' vehicle, Padilla said.

The witness was not injured. Oshidari sped away in the direction of westbound Interstate 10, Padilla said.

Deputies spotted the Mercedes on westbound I-10 at Live Oak Canyon Road in Yucaipa, and tried to stop Oshidari, Padilla said.

She allegedly continued speeding away "and deputies initiated a pursuit in marked police vehicles with emergency lights and sirens activated," Padilla said.

"Oshidari led deputies through Yucaipa, Redlands and into the city of San Bernardino via westbound I-10 at speeds between 60 MPH and 90 MPH, and weaving in and out of traffic lanes," Padilla said.

She got off the freeway at the Waterman Avenue exit in San Bernardino and led deputies to an industrial complex near Hospitality Lane and Waterman Avenue, Padilla said.

She finally stopped near Carnegie Drive and Vanderbilt Way, according to Padilla. She surrendered peacefully, Padilla said.

"No one was injured during Oshidari's initial collisions, no one was injured during the pursuit, and there were no collisions during the pursuit," Padilla said.

"Oshidari was not under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and/or controlled substance, and the motive for her actions remains unclear."

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Deputy Raul Lopez at the Cabazon Station at (951) 922-7100, or the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Dispatch Center at (800) 950-2444. Witnesses can also make contact via email at CabazonStation@RiversideSheriff.org.