An investigation that began in early December when a young woman’s body was found in the middle of the I-5 freeway near Santa Ana, has come to an end with one suspect arrested.

Martha Rodezno, 51, of Los Angeles, was last seen when she angrily left a family gathering in Mission Viejo around midnight on December 9, 2013. At approximately 3:00 a.m., her body was found on the I-5 freeway in Santa Ana, 20 miles away from where she was last seen. 

What happened in between her disappearance and her death had remained a mystery to investigators until recently. Authorities were not sure if she hitchhiked, called someone for a ride, or whether she jumped out of a car or was pushed out of a vehicle. Although, authorities had distinguished her death from that of a hit-run, determining her injuries were not consistent with being struck by a vehicle.


Investigators later interviewed witnesses who said they saw Rodenzo being ejected from the passenger side of a petroleum tank trunk and that the driver continued to drive away. 

These interviews led to the arrest of Jaqwun Laerin Turner, 31, of Hawthorne, on suspicion of hit-and-run with permanent injury or death, of Martha Rodezno. 

A criminal conviction is costly. You may serve time in prison, you may have your license revoked, your career and family life will be disrupted, and your record will be stained by such convictions. Our goal at Brower and Associates is to provide an aggressive and comprehensive defense to those accused of a crime throughout Orange County. If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, contact Brower and Associates today.