The hearing for a fatal hit and run from last year will be delayed until spring.
Troy Reynolds, the suspect in a hit-and-run that killed a Yucca Valley teenager, returned to court for an Early Disposition Hearing yesterday morning, over a year after the collision occurred.
Defense attorney Ronald Hedding requested another continuation of the hearing, noting that the defense and prosecution were “in discussions to try and resolve the matter.”
Judge Melissa Rodriguez granted the request and scheduled the Early Disposition Hearing for April 8. The decision marks the seventh time the hearing has been continued since the beginning of the case.
On the evening of January 26, 2024, patrolling County Sheriff’s Deputies found sixteen-year-old Joshua Barreras lying unresponsive in the center median of Twentynine Palms Highway, near the intersection of Avalon Avenue; the sixteen-year-old was pronounced deceased at the Hi-Desert Medical Center that night. The Morongo Basin Major Accident Investigation Team determined that a vehicle had struck Barreras and fled the scene. Following a four-week investigation, Reynolds was identified by the Sheriff’s Department as the primary suspect and turned himself in at the Joshua Tree Courthouse on February 27, entering a “Not Guilty” plea. Reynolds’ initial Early Disposition Hearing was scheduled for April 16 of 2024.
Following the decision, a disruption occurred between family and friends of the victim and the accused while exiting the courtroom. Bailiffs were involved in escorting the parties separately and asking them to leave the premises.
Troy Reynolds is charged with Felony Hit and Run Resulting in Permanent Injury or Death; he is currently out on $500,000 bail.
