Loved ones are desperate for answers as they search for the suspect driver who killed a 21-year-old man in Orange County before speeding away.
Joshua Cervantes, 21, of Tustin, was killed by the driver on April 2, 2023 at around 2 a.m. as he and a friend, Amber Khan, were leaving a house party.
They had stood next to a car near the intersection of Ross Street and St. Gertrude Place for several minutes when a speeding SUV struck them and fled the scene.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Joshua Cervantes, 21, is seen in a photo provided by his family.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Friends and family gathered on March 29, 2025 to honor Joshua Cervantes near the spot where he was killed. (KTLA)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Joshua Cervantes and his best friend Amber Khan are seen in a photo provided by family.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.The intersection of Ross Street and St. Gertrude Place in Santa Ana where Joshua Cervantes and Amber Khan were struck by a hit-and-run driver on April 2, 2023. (KTLA)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.The suspect's vehicle (similar to the one pictured) is a silver or gold-colored 2000s-era Ford Expedition SUV. (Santa Ana Police Department)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.A reward between $15,000 to $30,000 is being offered for anyone who can provide information leading to the suspect’s capture. (KTLA)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Joshua Cervantes and a friend were struck near the intersection of Ross Street and St. Gertrude Place in Santa Ana on April 2, 2023. (County News)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Amber Khan speaks to KTLA on March 29, 2025, as the search for her friend's killer continues. (KTLA)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Joshua Cervantes, 21, is seen in a photo provided by his family.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Joshua Cervantes, 21, is seen in photos provided by his family.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.A memorial near the crash site honors Joshua Cervantes. (Santa Ana Police Department)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Joshua Cervantes and a friend were struck near the intersection of Ross Street and St. Gertrude Place in Santa Ana on April 2, 2023. (Santa Ana Police Department)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Joshua Cervantes and a friend were struck near the intersection of Ross Street and St. Gertrude Place in Santa Ana on April 2, 2023. (Santa Ana Police Department)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Joshua Cervantes, 21, is seen in a photo provided by his family.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Joshua Cervantes, 21, is seen in a photo provided by his family.
Arriving officers found Cervantes lying on the road and unresponsive. He was rushed to a local trauma center and despite lifesaving measures, was pronounced dead. Khan suffered multiple injuries and was hospitalized for several days.
“All I can remember is that it came out of nowhere and hit me in the head,” Khan told KTLA's Chris Wolfe. “I just remember seeing headlights and my friend on the floor in a pool of his own blood.”
Khan said the emotional trauma over losing her best friend will last a lifetime. She still suffers from nightmares over the crash and, along with Cervantes’ family, wants justice for his death.
“My son was the world to us,” said Frances Morga, the victim’s mother. “He was so special. The last day I saw him, I gave him a hug and told him ‘I love you,’ and he said ‘Mom, I love you,’ and that was the night the accident happened. I don’t know how to continue on without him. I miss him so much.”
His loved ones described Cervantes as a passionate artist who had plans to attend art school before he was killed.
The suspect vehicle is described as a silver or gold-colored SUV, similar to an early 2000s Ford Expedition SUV.
Two years after his death, his family said investigators have no solid leads on the case. They're offering a reward between $15,000 to $30,000 for anyone who can provide information leading to the suspect’s capture.
“It’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to us,” Morga said. “He was very loving. I just miss him so much. He was everything to me.”
“I’m still devastated," Khan said. "It feels like it just happened. I miss my best friend every single day. We're heartbroken. I feel like there's somebody out there who has to know something.”
Cervantes is survived by his parents, brother and community of friends. A candlelight vigil to honor Cervantes is being held on April 2 at 506 West Gertrude Street in Santa Ana at 7 p.m.
A GoFundMe has been organized for the family as they struggle from the unimaginable loss.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Santa Ana Police Department at 714-245-8665. Anonymous tips can be provided to OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227 or online at occrimestoppers.org.
