Booking Photo of Woman Accused of Two Hit-Runs, Fleeing Calimesa Police

A booking photo was released Thursday of a woman in a Mercedes who allegedly struck two vehicles and led deputies on a pursuit from Calimesa to San Bernardino, where she surrendered near Hospitality Lane.

Azita Oshidari, 20, of Cathedral City was arrested and booked in Banning on suspicion of hit-and-run, assault with a deadly weapon, and evading a peace officer, according to the Riverside County sheriff's department and inmate records.

Oshidari was released Thursday from Smith Correctional on $25,000 bail, according to inmate records. She has a court appearance scheduled Feb. 9 in Banning.

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

On their way to the hit-and-run, 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 in the direction of westbound Interstate 10, 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.