Driver, 24, charged in hit-and-run

Published in Long Beach City College's Viking newspaper in 2006.

The driver accused of killing an LBCC student in a hit-and-run accident on a local freeway is free on bail and scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, April 18.
Martin L. Gonzales, 24, was arrested at 2:25 a.m. on March 18 after allegedly speeding on the northbound 605, rear-ending an automobile, then fleeing the scene.
Full-time LBCC nursing student Melissa Ann Diel, 21, was driving the 2000 Ford Focus Gonzales hit, which resulted in her death.
Gonzales was booked with felony hit and run, gross vehicular manslaughter, felony injury and collision and suspicion of driving under the influence at 12:16 p.m. on March 18 then released on March 19 at 6:41 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Web site.
Officer D. Greaver said, "Normally there's a bail amount of $250,000, but I'm not sure how much he bonded out. The amount is usually determined by the jail. Most of the time people are allowed to pay 10 percent
English teacher Candace Dickerson said, "Melissa was a delight to have in class and I really enjoyed talking with her."
An obituary for Diel in the San Bernardino County Sun said Deil was born July 22, 1984 in Upland, Calif. Diel also worked at Starbucks and at Los Alamitos Medical Center as a phlebotomist.