A shocking incident in California led to the tragic death of a 79-year-old Army veteran and grandfather, James “Jim” Norman, who was dragged for half a mile during a carjacking, according to police reports.
On Monday afternoon around 12:30 PM, Norman was vacuuming his Chevrolet TrailBlazer at an Alco gas station in Norco when Ryan Hewitt, 29, jumped into the driver’s seat.
Witnesses reported seeing Norman try to hold on to the back of his vehicle as Hewitt sped away. The police were alerted about the situation shortly after it began.
“A caller notified us that he had seen the man enter the driver’s side while the owner was still partially in the back seat,” an officer stated.
Eventually, Norman was thrown from the vehicle, and investigators later discovered his lifeless body half a mile away from the gas station, not far from his home. Paramedics rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries there.
“I just hope he went peacefully. I’m grateful to those who tried to help him,” said a family member in an interview.
The family, who had planned to meet for dinner, expressed their heartbreak. A daughter mentioned that Norman, who was frail and wore hearing aids, likely didn’t realize what was happening before it was too late. “He might not have heard the carjacker over the vacuum,” she suggested.
Investigators contacted the family for help tracking Norman’s phone, ultimately locating his car parked and abandoned. Shortly after, they apprehended Hewitt, who faces charges of carjacking and murder.
Norman had lived a humble yet adventurous life, serving in the Army and working various jobs throughout his years, including roles in construction and even as a pilot. His family noted how his passion for work and travel took him all over the U.S., and he always brought energy and reliability to whatever he did.
