Family devastated after young Southern California father struck and killed by driver

Loved ones are mourning after authorities said a young father was intentionally run over and killed by a transient.

The victim was identified as Ricky Kemp, 35, from Hesperia, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Kemp was the father of two children and even though they live in Colorado, he remained very close to them, his family said.

“The way he loved his sons was amazing,” said Kellie Briceno, the victim’s mother.

“He talked to his kids every day,” said Morgan Mathis, the victim’s fiancé. “We were just planning to fly out there soon to see them.”

On Sept. 14, Kemp was walking with his cousin near Cataba Road and Main Street in Hesperia at around 6:30 a.m.

Surveillance video from a nearby business showed the two men walking in the parking lot outside of a store when suddenly, Kemp’s cousin runs out of the way of an approaching vehicle.

The suspect, driving a Chevy Tahoe SUV, chases the men through the parking lot. They attempt to dodge the car but the suspect speeds through some bushes before finally striking Kemp.

The forceful collision pushed Kemp onto the roadway. The suspect appeared to lose control of the SUV before driving over a curb and nearly crashing into a gas station across the street.

Video showed the suspect’s car had extensive front-end damage from the impact including a cracked windshield, broken headlights and a tire falling off its axle.

A man sitting nearby had witnessed the crash and approached the driver before handing him what appeared to be a cigarette. The suspect appeared to take a smoke and then backed up his car and drove over to where Kemp’s body was lying on the ground before driving away.

Authorities later arrived and pronounced Kemp dead at the scene.

The damaged SUV was found abandoned and the suspect, John Wynn, a 44-year-old transient, was located inside a nearby business.

The motive behind the deadly crash remains unclear but detectives confirmed the two men were acquaintances. However, the details surrounding their relationship were not released.

Kemp’s family remains heartbroken and is searching for answers over his death.

“You don’t even hit a dog like that,” said Briceno. “You swerve to not hit a dog, let alone a human being.”

As his family grieves, they’ve set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses. A vigil was held Wednesday night to honor the young father.

“He was always smiling,” Briceno said. “He was a good soul. Anytime I needed help, he would come help.”

Wynn was arrested at the scene and booked on suspicion of murder. He is being held without bail.

“I want him to spend the rest of his life in prison,” Briceno said of the suspect. “I don’t want him to get the death penalty. I want him to think about it for the rest of his life — why he’s there.”

The deadly incident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information on the case can call Detective Ian Gosswiller at 909-890-4904. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.

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