In San Bernardino County, a suspected DUI driver murdered a 19-year-old nursing student, leaving loved ones distraught.
Larenz Fondren, who was two months away from graduating and earning his license as a vocational nurse, was following his love.
Larenz’s lifelong struggle with sickle cell illness, according to his family, pushed him to pursue a career in healthcare.
He was heading to a clinical rotation on May 2 when, just before 7 a.m., he crossed the street in Colton around Washington Street and Center Drive.
The moment Larenz, wearing scrubs, crossed the roadway and was hit by a speeding motorist was caught on surveillance footage.
“My son flew 20 feet in the air,” Wayne Fondren, Larenz’s father stated. “When I went out there, it was him. I just cried, I couldn’t do anything. Just imagine that’s your son or someone else’s. The pain, what I’m feeling. He took my son’s life.”
According to the police, Larenz was hit by many cars following the original collision.
Antonio Medrano, 30, of Colton, was arrested on the spot for driving without a license and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
His bail was set at $100,000. Medrano was freed after paying the bond two days later. The victim’s relatives expressed their utter indignation upon discovering that the suspect was once again on the streets.
“My question is, how do you kill somebody on Friday and get out Sunday morning?” Wayne stated. “With a DUI and your license having been suspended numerous times and now you’ve killed my son.”
According to a Colton Police Department official, the crash is still being investigated while toxicology results are anticipated.
However, family members reported that they have not received an update nearly a month later.
“They did say that [the suspect] openly admitted to smoking marijuana,” Felisha Fondren, the victim’s sister stated.
Social media footage purportedly showed the suspect’s vehicle, a blue and white Dodge Challenger with custom paint, speeding in the bike lane just before hitting Larenz.
Court documents show that Medrano has a history of dangerous driving, including prior speeding violations.
The family of the 19-year-old expressed their wish that the suspect be found guilty and taken off the streets before another person is harmed or killed.
“We want justice for Larenz Fondren, that’s all we want, is justice,” Wayne stated.
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“There was no bad part about him,” Felisha Fondren, the victim’s mother stated. “Not just saying that because he’s our son. If you talk to anybody [about him,] you would know that.”
On June 7, the Fondren family will celebrate Lorenz’s 20th birthday with a public gathering at Cal Skate in Grand Terrace.
Before determining whether to press charges, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office stated that they are aware of the matter and are awaiting the evaluation of final reports.
Detective Isabel Jaramillo can be reached by phone at 909-370-5142 or by email at ijaramillo@coltonca.gov if you have any information about the case.
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