FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A man was arrested early Thursday morning after a suspected DUI hit-and-run crash left one pedestrian dead and another seriously injured, according to the Tulare Police Department.
Just after midnight on June 11, officers responded to reports of a traffic collision near Paseo Del Lago and Viognier Street. Upon arrival, officers found a woman suffering from significant injuries. While she was receiving assistance, the woman repeatedly asked officers where her companion was.
Investigators say the woman and her boyfriend had been walking home when they were struck by a vehicle.
As officers searched the surrounding area, they located the male victim in the backyard of a nearby home. He was suffering from critical injuries from the collision.
Emergency Medical Personnel began life-saving efforts and transported the man to a local hospital. Despite those efforts, he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
Officers say the driver and passenger of the vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived. A short time later, police found two men hiding behind residential trash cans. Both were taken into custody without incident.
The driver was identified as 34-year-old Abraham Payeras. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and gross vehicular manslaughter.
Authorities have not released the names of the victims at this time.
The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tulare Police Department.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
