An elderly man was struck and killed as he walked along Elm Avenue on Wednesday evening, the California Highway Patrol has revealed.
The Fresno County Coroner’s Office identified him as 73-year-old Jesus Espinoza.
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The accident took place around 5 p.m. between North and Central Avenues to the south of Fresno’s city limits.
CHP spokesman Mike Salas said a 2010 to 2013 silver Toyota Corolla hit Espinoza as he headed south on the road shoulder.
According to Salas, the vehicle may have sustained damage to its right front bumper and the mirror on the right-side mirror may be missing.
Officers don’t yet know what led to the accident or if drugs or alcohol were involved. It is understood that they canvassed the area and looked at security footage.
Anyone with information about the crash has been asked to call CHP at 559-262-0400.
It is a crime to leaving the scene of an accident but many drivers still do it. Often the person who is injured or killed in these crashes is a pedestrian.
Drivers flee for several reasons. Some are intoxicated while others are unlicensed and uninsured or afraid of being arrested.
If law enforcement officers in California track down the driver, the individual is likely to face a felony hit-and-run charge. If found guilty, they could spend between 16 months and three years in state prison.
Their driver’s license will also be suspended for a year.
Espinoza’s family may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the driver.
Disclaimer: The Safety Watch article you just read includes information obtained from numerous sources. These sources include, but are not limited to, websites and press releases from law enforcement, the county coroner, fire departments, and other news outlets. While we strive to provide readers with the most accurate information, sometimes the information received is not entirely accurate. For complete details, please refer to an official police report.
The articles published contain sensitive subject matter that may be hard to read by some. We understand that losing a loved one is hard and devastating. Safety Watch’s decision to share the stories is to help others who may be facing the same situations by providing appropriate resources to the general public.