A tragic incident unfolded in California when a carjacker led to the death of a 79-year-old Army veteran and respected grandfather. The incident occurred at an ARCO gas station in Norco around midday on Monday. James “Jim” Norman was cleaning his Chevrolet Trailblazer when 29-year-old Ryan Hewitt seized the opportunity to jump into the driver’s seat.
As Hewitt sped off, Norman clung to the backseat of his vehicle in a desperate attempt to stop the theft. Witnesses to the shocking event quickly alerted the police. Authorities reported that the call detailed a man entering the driver’s seat of a vehicle and driving away with the owner partially inside the rear seat.
The ordeal ended tragically when Norman was thrown from the moving vehicle. His body was discovered half a mile from the gas station, a few miles from his residence. Despite the swift response of paramedics who rushed him to a nearby hospital, Norman’s injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead.
Norman’s daughter, Nicole Lauritsen, expressed her gratitude to the people who protected her father’s body from further harm. She also shared her belief that the carjacker was aware of her father’s desperate struggle but chose to continue driving.
Lauritsen revealed that her father, who wore hearing aids, was not wearing them at the time of the incident. She speculated that the noise of the vacuum and his impaired hearing may have prevented him from noticing the carjacker’s intrusion.
In the aftermath of the incident, investigators asked Lauritsen if she could track her father’s phone. She informed them that she had placed an AirTag on his car to keep tabs on him. This led to the discovery of Norman’s abandoned vehicle and the subsequent arrest of Hewitt, who now faces charges of carjacking and murder.
Norman’s life was characterized by modesty and adventure, according to a GoFundMe page set up to cover his funeral and burial expenses. He served in the Army and held various jobs throughout his life, including construction, vehicle transport, and even piloting. His love for travel and exploration took him to many parts of the United States, and he was known for his energy and authenticity.