Corona Man Charged with First-Degree Murder in Senior Carjacking Death

Ryan Hewitt, a 29-year-old man from Corona, has been charged with first-degree murder, carjacking, elder abuse, and other offenses after allegedly stealing a 79-year-old man's vehicle at a Norco carwash and dragging him for about half a mile, resulting in the victim's death. The victim, James Norman, a beloved father, grandfather, and Army veteran, was partially inside the vehicle when Hewitt drove away, causing Norman to be ejected and fatally injured. Authorities located the stolen SUV near Magnolia Avenue and Polk Street in Riverside and arrested Hewitt without incident near the intersection of Magnolia and Tyler Street. Hewitt is being held on $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail, and the Riverside County District Attorney's Office is reviewing the case. The incident occurred near Hidden Valley Parkway, less than a mile east of Interstate 15, following multiple 911 calls reporting the carjacking. Investigators are working closely with police departments from both Riverside and Corona in the ongoing investigation.