James Norman Obituary, Death – A tragic carjacking in Norco, California, claimed the life of a 79-year-old man on Monday afternoon, as he tried to stop a suspect from stealing his vehicle. The elderly victim, identified as James Norman of Corona, was killed after being dragged behind his own car during the violent incident.
Authorities from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department responded to a distress call at approximately 12:30 p.m. from a witness who had seen the carjacking unfold. The crime took place at an Arco gas station in the 600 block of Hidden Valley Parkway. According to the Sheriff’s Department, the caller reported seeing a man climb into the driver’s seat of a vehicle while the owner appeared to be partially inside the back seat. The suspect then drove off with the victim still entangled in the vehicle.
As the suspect sped away, Norman was dragged for about half a mile before being thrown from the vehicle. Corona Police located him shortly afterward, lying on the roadway with serious injuries. Emergency responders transported Norman to a nearby hospital, but he tragically died from the wounds he sustained during the violent encounter.
Further investigation revealed that Norman had been vacuuming the back seat of his SUV at a nearby car wash adjacent to the gas station when the suspect seized the opportunity to steal the car. The carjacker, identified as 29-year-old Ryan Hewitt, also a resident of Corona, jumped into the vehicle and sped off while Norman was still partially inside.
Law enforcement officers swiftly launched a search for the stolen SUV. According to an official statement, the abandoned vehicle was eventually discovered in Riverside, near the intersection of Polk Street and Magnolia Avenue. The vehicle was unoccupied when deputies found it, but with assistance from the Riverside Police Department, they began combing the area for the suspect.
The search ended near the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Tyler Street in Riverside, where deputies located and detained a man matching the suspect’s description. The individual was soon identified as Hewitt. After being questioned by investigators, he was arrested and booked on charges of carjacking and murder.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the incident in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies. The case has sparked shock and sadness in the community, as many grapple with the senseless loss of life.
James Norman, the victim, was simply going about his day when he was targeted. Friends and neighbors have described him as a kind and active member of the community, someone who enjoyed staying involved and taking care of his vehicle himself. His sudden and violent death has left loved ones mourning and has shaken residents in Norco and Corona alike.
Authorities have yet to release additional details about Hewitt’s background or potential motive for the carjacking. It is not yet known whether the crime was premeditated or an impulsive act of opportunity. What is clear, however, is that the events of that Monday afternoon have left a lasting impact.
Carjackings, while relatively rare in this part of Riverside County, have occurred with increasing frequency in some areas of Southern California in recent years. Law enforcement officials continue to urge residents to be aware of their surroundings and to prioritize their personal safety over their possessions when confronted with threats.
As the investigation moves forward, officials will be reviewing surveillance footage from the gas station and surrounding businesses, as well as speaking to additional witnesses, in order to piece together a complete timeline of events. The evidence collected will be crucial in building the case against Hewitt as prosecutors prepare to move forward with formal charges.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is also asking any members of the public who may have seen anything related to the incident, or who may have additional information, to come forward.
In the meantime, the community is left to mourn the death of a man whose life ended in a sudden and heartbreaking act of violence. James Norman’s death is a sobering reminder of how quickly ordinary moments can turn tragic. His family and friends now face the difficult road of healing and grieving, while the suspect faces justice for his actions.