79-year-old man killed after falling from car during carjacking at Norco gas station

A 79-year-old man was killed when he fell from his car in the midst of a carjacking in Norco on Monday afternoon. 

Deputies were dispatched to the Arco gas station in the 600 block of Hidden Valley Parkway at around 12:30 p.m. after recieving a call from a witness to a carjacking, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. 

"The caller reported witnessing a male entering the driver seat of a vehicle and driving away with the vehicle owner partially inside the rear seat," said a statement from department officials.

The victim was ejected from the car after being dragged about a half-mile, deputies said.

Corona police found the victim after he fell from the car. 

He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to injuries he sustained in the carjacking. 

Investigators say that he was at a carwash just near the gas station, vacuuming the rear of his car, when the suspect jumped into the driver's seat and took off. 

Deputies located the stolen car and took the suspect into custody. 

"During the investigation, the victim's SUV was located unoccupied near the intersection of Polk Street and Magnolia Avenue in the city of Riverside," said a statement from deputies. "Investigators began working closely with members of the Riverside Police Department and ultimately detained a male near the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Tyler Street."

He has been identified as 29-year-old Ryan Hewitt, a Corona resident. He was booked for carjacking and murder. He is due in court on Wednesday, May 14. 

Authorities on Monday identified the victim as Corona resident James Norman. 

He was better known to friends and family as Jim, a beloved father and grandfather and Army veteran.

"I'm angry. I'm hurt," said Nicole Lauritsen, Norman's daughter. "I'm so thankful that they caught him as quickly as they could."

She said her father was just a few miles from his home when the carjacking happened. 

"He didn't have his hearing aids in, so I'm guessing he didn't hear with the vacuum on and all of a sudden his cars backing up," she said. "He was too old and frail to get out before the door slammed on him. ... He knew my dad was hanging, but just panicked and kept going until he fell out of the car."

Lauritsen says that deputies were able to find the suspect so quickly because of an AirTag she had on her father's car. She's grateful to those who were able to take him into custody so quickly, and those who tried to help her dad. 

"I'm thankful for the people who surrounded his body while they were waiting for the ambulance to come," she said. 

Their family has started an online fundraiser to help pay for Norman's funeral.