Woman sought in hit-and-run car crash that killed man on San Jose Boulevard in Carlsbad

Investigators are looking for a woman believed to be involved in a hit-and-run car crash that left a man dead on Jan. 11 on San Jose Boulevard in Carlsbad.

Police said Hunter Dees, 24, was struck and killed in the 1400 block of San Jose at about 5:50 p.m. that day behind La Tienda, and the driver fled the scene heading north.

Twelve days later as the investigation continued, the Carlsbad Police Department said it was looking for Josselle Annette Hernandez, 47, of Carlsbad as a “person of interest” in the death.

More: Police seek driver in fatal hit and run on San Jose Boulevard in Carlsbad

A person of interest is not necessarily a suspect in a criminal investigation but may be wanted for questioning in the matter as police investigate.

No suspects believed responsible for the incident were identified as of Tuesday.

Police did identify a grey 2002 Mercury Mountaineer with Colorado license plate reading ECJ459 as the one suspected of killing Dees. The vehicle also suffered visible damage to its front end on the driver’s side, police said.

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The driver may face a charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death, a fourth-degree felony, failing to report an accident, failing to render aid and tampering with evidence.

A fourth-degree felony can be punishable by up to 18 months in prison, according to state statute.

“The Carlsbad Police Department would like to remind the public that anyone holding, storing, cleaning, or otherwise tampering with the vehicle will be charged accordingly,” read a news release from the Carlsbad Police Department.

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Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Hernandez, location of the vehicle or anyone who witnessed the incident was asked to call the Carlsbad Police Department at 575-885-2111 and talk to the Traffic Division at extension 2266.

Crimestoppers offered rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Tips can be submitted by calling 575-887-1888 or toll free at 844-786-7227, or online at eddycountycrimestoppers.com and on the group’s mobile app using P3 Tips.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Carlsbad Police seek woman tied to fatal hit and run on San Jose Blvd.