SACRAMENTO—A Sacramento man wanted in connection with a deadly hit and run that took place in Sacramento last month has been arrested and taken into custody.
Joseph Yakshin, 23, was arrested Thursday, October 16, 2014, in El Dorado Hills on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Yakshin was the driver of a 1998 Toyota Sienna that ran a red light at the intersection of Walnut and El Camino avenues in Carmichael at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Monday, September 15, striking a Volvo and causing damage to both cars.
Joseph Yakshin booking photo
Investigators said that after the crash, the driver of the Toyota got out of his vehicle and tried to restart the car three times. When he was unsuccessful, he then fled on foot, police said.
One of the passengers in the Volvo, Deadra Griffin, was taken to a hospital, where she died from her wounds. The driver of the Volvo, Dorrance Byrd, who was Deadra’s boyfriend, and another passenger, Deadra’s sister, were treated for serious injuries.
Hours after the crash, Yakshin called the CHP and reported that someone had stolen his car. That same day, officers took a complete stolen vehicle report from Yakshin in person.
Police launched a monitoring investigation and were able to punch holes in his story, putting him behind the wheel of the car. There is also video of Yakshin going through the intersection at 76 mph before hitting the car that killed Griffin.
Yakshin also faces charges of filing a false police report and driving on a suspended license.
Read More:
CBS Sacramento: CHP: Suspect In Deadly Carmichael Hit-And-Run Originally Reported Car Stolen
