Non-White Found Dozing Inside Vehicle Used to Kill Retired White Police Officer

Fox 40
January 1, 2015

Stockton Police have located the vehicle that was involved in the hit and run that cost a retired police officer his life.

On Tuesday, 70-year-old Jimmy Pendergrass was on his way to work when he was struck by a van while crossing the intersection of Washington and El Dorado Street.

He later died from his injuries at the  hospital.

Pendergrass was a retired Stockton Police officer, and was a part-time investigator.

On Thursday night, the vehicle that matched the description was found on Harrison and Sonora Street by a security guard.

According to Stockton Police, a man was found sleeping inside the van, and was taken in for questioning.

After further investigation and questioning, 57-year-old Sergio Meraz Chavira was arrested.

He is being charged for a felony hit and run.

“Our department can now begin to heal and the Pendergrass family can have some closure knowing that a suspect is in custody and behind bars,” Chief Eric Jones wrote on the department’s Facebook page.