FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/20/2026 HIT AND RUN INVESTIGATION SUSPENDED RIDGECREST, CA -...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/20/2026

HIT AND RUN INVESTIGATION SUSPENDED

RIDGECREST, CA - On October 26, 2024, officers from the Ridgecrest Police Department responded to a report of a person down in the roadway near the intersection of West Las Flores Avenue and North Florence Street. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased female in the roadway. The female was later identified as Cecelia “CeeCee” Toussaint, a 15-year-old resident of Trona.

Detectives immediately responded to the scene and began an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Toussaint’s death. Based upon the physical evidence located at the scene, investigators determined it was unlikely Toussaint had been struck while standing. Evidence instead suggested she had been struck by a vehicle while lying in the roadway. Detectives then focused on determining how and why she came to be in the street.

Investigators located surveillance footage from a distant camera system in the area. The footage appeared to show Toussaint walking southbound from a nearby apartment complex. She continued walking until she disappeared from view in a darkened area near a local church. She was not observed again until discovered by the two reporting parties. Detectives found no obvious indication from the footage that Toussaint was in any distress...

SEE ATTACHED IMAGES OR DOWNLOAD/VIEW THE FULL .PDF RELEASE HERE: https://www.ridgecrest-ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8073/RPD-Press-Release---05202026