Court Proceedings Continue for Suspect in 2021 Freeway Shooting Death

Further proceedings are scheduled Monday for Sidney Terrance Johnson, who is charged with murder in the 2021 car-to-car shooting death of a Monrovia woman on the Foothill Freeway just east of Pasadena city limits.

Johnson, 26, of Los Angeles, is set to appear at 8:30 a.m. in Department D of the Pasadena Courthouse, 300 E. Walnut St., in connection with the killing of Bertha Hernandez, 35.

The shooting occurred around 9 a.m. on Sept. 4, 2021, on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 210 in Arcadia. Hernandez was the sole occupant of a black Mercedes-Benz and suffered at least one gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses reported seeing two vehicles — a black Mercedes and an Infiniti sedan — traveling side by side when the driver of the Infiniti, allegedly Johnson, pointed a gun at the Mercedes and fired at least 10 shots. Two bullets struck Hernandez, causing her vehicle to crash into a sound wall and bushes on the right shoulder.

The shooting led to an eight-hour closure of the affected freeway section while authorities investigated and collected evidence.

According to court documents, surveillance footage showed Johnson’s Infiniti at a gas station on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena about 15 minutes before the shooting. The footage depicted a man wearing red sneakers and dark sweatpants with red stripes.

Additional video evidence reportedly showed Hernandez’s Mercedes leaving her driveway on East Del Mar Avenue, with the Infiniti observed nearby and following her vehicle to the freeway, suggesting premeditation.

During a preliminary hearing, Hernandez’s mother identified Johnson as her daughter’s boyfriend.

Johnson was arrested at his Los Angeles home on Nov. 9, 2021, following a two-month investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Officers reportedly recovered evidence relevant to the crime during the arrest.

Johnson remains in custody at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles with bail set at $2.05 million.