Fatal Traffic Collision Follows Pursuit of Stolen Vehicle in San Clemente
SAN CLEMENTE, CA — On Monday, March 30, 2026, at approximately 8:00 a.m., deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a U-Haul van lacking license plates in the 300 block of Avenida Granada. Law enforcement officials later determined the van had been reported stolen. During the attempted stop, the driver of the U-Haul accelerated and struck a black SUV at the intersection of Avenida Granada and S. Ola Vista.
The driver of the SUV, identified as 53-year-old Maria Ramirezahmad of Anaheim, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Three adult female passengers from the same vehicle were transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
The passenger of the U-Haul, Gregorio Horacio Trejochavez, 56, of La Habra, was taken into custody at the scene. Following medical treatment, Trejochavez was booked at the Orange County Jail for a probation violation. The driver of the van, Mathew Alexander Ronquillo, 39, of Cerritos, fled the scene on foot.
Sheriff’s Dispatch subsequently received reports of an individual running across the 5 Freeway. The Sheriff’s helicopter, “Duke,” located Ronquillo and guided deputies to his position. After Ronquillo continued to flee, a Sheriff’s K9 was deployed to complete the apprehension. Ronquillo was treated at a hospital before being booked at the Orange County Jail on charges including felony evasion, felony evasion causing great bodily injury or death, felony hit and run, gross vehicular manslaughter, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
