BY KEVIN PEARSON
Nearly three months after eight students were injured when a classmate’s truck struck them in a crosswalk outside Hemet High School, law enforcement officials are still investigating the case. No has one been charged, arrested or cited. CHP officials said this week that they have been asked repeatedly by the Riverside County district attorney’s office to look into potential mechanical failures on the truck driven by 18-year-old Daniel Carrillo during the May 30 crash. Carrillo was driving in excess of 50 mph and weaving through traffic when he ran a red light and plowed through a crosswalk as school let out, CHP officials said. Carrillo told investigators his brakes failed, but witnesses said he revved his engine and never slowed down. Since the crash, the CHP and the district attorney’s office — which will decide whether to charge Carrillo with any crimes once the CHP formally submits its investigation — have had numerous meetings, CHP spokesman Darren Meyer said. Prosecutors have asked repeatedly for more investigation into the mechanical issues in hopes of securing an airtight case, Meyer said. The latest is a complete inspection of the truck’s master cylinder and brake fluid. Carrillo has not been cited for any traffic violations because, if he were, no criminal charges could be filed against him due to the state’s double jeopardy laws. Meyer said the CHP understands the frustrations of the community, which rallied to support those injured in the crash while demanding Carrillo be brought to justice. Meyer stressed that the case is still active and that it can take months before complex cases such as this are formally submitted to the DA’s office. “As you know, sometimes the wheels of justice turn really slow,” Meyer said. “Our concern is getting an airtight case for them so they have all the material they need to take this to trial. We investigate everything thoroughly and submit it to the DA and hope they will go after prosecution.” District attorney’s office spokesman John Hall said since the case hadn’t been submitted, he could only comment generally. “In this case, as in any, we want the best possible evidence provided to us from law enforcement so we can then in turn make the best decision as to how next to proceed,” he wrote in an email. The new school year began Monday in Hemet. On Tuesday, the CHP had extra patrols near Hemet High, as well as a portable trailer showing drivers how fast they were going. Meanwhile, Carrillo has started his senior year at Alessandro High School, the district’s alternative high school, a district official said. Of the eight students hit, the most seriously injured was Helen Richardson, who has permanent brain damage but is slowly improving, her mother said Tuesday. Helen is still having balance problems and is scheduled for a surgery next week to remove some scar tissue. At a carwash organized a week after the crash to raise money for the victims, Carrillo donated $100 and brought a sealed card for Helen and her family. Trisha Telezinski, Helen’s mother, said she has questioned whether charges will be filed but said she tries not to let it keep her awake at night. “I don’t want to see him go to jail, but there needs to be consequences,” she said. “For the kid, what he did, he has this shadow over his head, whether they are coming for him or not.” Follow Kevin Pearson on Twitter @pe_kevinpearson or online at blog. pe.com/Hemet