REEDLEY, Calif. (KFSN) — Reedley police have identified a suspect in a deadly hit-and-run crash that killed two pedestrians early Tuesday morning and are continuing to search for him.
Reedley Police Chief Marc Ediger announced that 48-year-old Omar Lopez Chavez was allegedly driving a white Chevy Astro van carrying five passengers when he struck two victims and left the scene.
The crash occurred before 5 a.m. Tuesday near Manning and Haney avenues, according to police.
The victims were identified as 75-year-old Luis Araujo and 78-year-old Maria Mendez.
Police say the two were walking in the area when they were hit. Both were taken to a hospital, where they later died.
The suspected vehicle was later found parked in a fruit field near Highway 145 and American Avenue in Fresno County.
Police said witnesses to the crash were located working in the field and were interviewed by investigators.
Authorities are still searching for Chavez and have obtained a warrant for his arrest.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information on Chavez’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Reedley Police Department.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
