Suspect Bradon Lilly, 37, Arrested for Hit-and-Run that Killed Steve Alvidrez, 52, Kern HS District Police Chief on Hwy 99 near Delano

Delano, CA – On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 37-year-old hit-and-run suspect Brandon Lilly was arrested in relation to a collision that cost the life of former police chief Steve Alvidrez, according to KGET.

The family of Steve Alvidrez, a former chief of the Kern High School District police department, has waited over twelve years for justice after a hit-and-run crash claimed his life. The arrest of the suspected driver this week may finally bring closure to a case that has haunted them since June 17, 2011.

Alvidrez, 52, was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle southbound on Highway 99, just south of Delano, shortly before midnight when he was struck from behind by a car. The collision threw him from his bike, and he died at the scene. His wife, Ramona, who was riding as a passenger, survived the crash.

The driver fled, leaving witnesses to describe the vehicle as a gold Chevrolet Cavalier. Investigators with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) later identified the car, which bore front-end damage and an imprint from Alvidrez’s motorcycle on its front license plate. 

According to court documents, the driver, identified as 37-year-old Brandon Lilly, admitted to being involved in a crash that night but claimed he was too intoxicated to recall details.

Despite the evidence, charges against Lilly were not filed until more than a year later. By that time, he had disappeared, evading authorities for over a decade. Details about his whereabouts during that time remain unclear. 

Lilly was arrested Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Los Angeles International Airport and is now being held without bail. He faces charges including murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

California Hit-and-Run Laws

California Law requires drivers involved in a collision to stop their vehicle, notify law enforcement, and exchange insurance information with others involved. Failure to do so, considered to be a “hit-and-run,” is a misdemeanor in cases of property damage and a felony when someone has been injured.

 

Wrongful Death Claims

Even if a fatal accident doesn’t lead to criminal charges, families who lose a loved one can still file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This compensation can help cover medical bills, funeral costs, and lost income that the family depended on.

However, insurance companies will always try to pay as little as possible, making it difficult for families to receive the full amount they deserve. So, having an experienced personal injury attorney is essential to receive fair compensation and justice for your loved one.

If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, feel free to contact Maison Law for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.

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