CHP: Suspect In Deadly Carmichael Hit-And-Run Originally Reported Car Stolen
CARMICHAEL (CBS13) — A Carmichael man has been charged in a hit-and-run accident that claimed a woman's life in September.
Investigators say Joseph Yakshin, 23, was driving under the influence, and even bragged about how intoxicated he was before taking the wheel.
On that September night, Dorrance Byrd lost the laughter, smiles and happiness of his longtime girlfriend Deadra Griffin. The woman he planned to marry was killed in a high-speed hit-and-run crash in Carmichael.
"She was funny. She made me happy, I love her. I loved being around her," he said.
He was behind the wheel, with Deadra and her sister as passengers, when police say out of nowhere, a driver ran a red light and hit them at more than 70 mph.
"I didn't see the car, I didn't even know he was going that fast until the last minute," he said.
Investigators say that driver was drunk and ran from the scene.
Hours later, they got a call from Yakshin, the owner of the other car involved.
"The suspect calls in that afternoon and tells us his car is stolen," said California Highway Patrol officer Chad Hertzell. "So we went to his house and listened to his story."
Police launched a monthlong investigation, and were able to poke holes in Yakshin's story, putting him behind the wheel of the car he reported stolen.
"We have pictures and video of him going through that intersection at 76 mph," Hertzell said.
It was the news Byrd had been waiting for: An arrest in the case that killed his best friend.
"I wouldn't want nobody to go through what I'm going through," he said.
Yakshin faces a slew of serious charges including gross vehicular manslaughter and driving on a suspended licence.
DNA was also collected at the scene, and investigators are awaiting test results.