San Clemente, Calif. (March 30, 2026): On Monday, March 30, 2026, shortly before 8 a.m., deputies patrolling the 300 block of Avenida Granada attempted to stop a U-Haul van with no license plates. The van was later discovered to have been reported stolen.
When the deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver accelerated and collided with a black SUV at the intersection of Avenida Granada and S. Ola Vista, less than a half a mile away. The driver of the SUV, Maria Ramirezahmad, 53 years old of Anaheim, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Three passengers in the SUV, all adult females, were transported to the hospital in critical condition.
The passenger of the stolen U-Haul, Gregorio Horacio Trejochavez, 56 years old of La Habra remained at the scene and was taken into custody. He was treated at the hospital and later booked at the Orange County Jail for a probation violation.
The suspect, Mathew Alexander Ronquillo, 39 years old of Cerritos, ran from deputies. A short time later, Sheriff’s Dispatch was notified about Ronquillo running across the 5 freeway. The Orange County Sheriff’s helicopter “Duke” located Ronquillo and directed deputies to his location. Ronquillo attempted to continue to run from deputies. A Sheriff’s K9 was used to apprehend Ronquillo. He was treated at the hospital and booked at the Orange County Jail for crimes related to felony evasion, felony evasion causing great bodily injury or death, felony hit and run, gross vehicular manslaughter, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
The California Highway Patrol Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team is investigating the traffic collision.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips can be sent to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.