Winterhaven man killed in hit-and-run identified

  California man who was struck and killed in a hit-and-run Sunday morning in Winterhaven has been identified.

  The victim has been identified by those who knew him as 49-year-old Roderick Kelly, a member of the Quechan Indian Tribe and a resident of Winterhaven.

  Kelly was also a member of Pipa A'Koots, an activist group founded by several tribal elders which made headlines recently for opposing the tribe's plans to build the new casino on what they considered a sacred mountain.

  According to the California Highway Patrol, Kelly was walking west along Winterhaven Drive east of Picacho Road at about 12:01 a.m. on April 19 when he was hit from behind by an unknown vehicle.

  A witness, who was walking with Kelly at the time of the hit-and-run, was only able to describe the vehicle as a small car.

  CHP said in the release that the suspect vehicle may have damage to the right-side mirror, front windshield, or passenger-side doors.

  The vehicle fled the scene westbound on Winterhaven Drive into the town, where the witness lost sight of it, according to the CHP.

   The CHP has asked the public's help in identifying the vehicle involved in the fatal hit-and-run and is requesting that anyone with any information  to contact the Winterhaven Area  CHP Offices at 1-760-572-0294.

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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.