‘Be aware’: Fatal pedestrian crashes up compared to 2023
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Two deadly vehicle accidents involving pedestrians were reported early Tuesday morning.
Fresno Police said this particular accident is up from where they were this time last year.
One man and woman were hit and killed by cars in two different locations in Fresno around midnight Tuesday.
The victim of an apparent hit-and-run was a man hit near Polk and Gettysburg Avenues.
“The vehicle that was involved left the scene,” said Diana Trueba-Vega with the Fresno Police Department. “So we continue to investigate looking for surveillance video, any evidence that might help detectives to identify the suspect or suspects and bring them to justice.”
The woman was hit near Butler and Sierra Vista Avenues.
This time, the driver stayed at the scene.
“Pedestrian is a female in her early sixties,” said Sergeant Trueba-Vega. “And the investigation on that investigation continues as well. The person that was driving the vehicle remained on scene, cooperating with the investigation.”
Fresno Police said both victims were unhoused.
According to Fresno Police, so far this year, there have been 13 fatal vehicle versus pedestrian accidents in Fresno. Eight of those crashes involved unhoused people while three of those crashes are classified as hit-and-runs.
At this time last year, there were nine fatal vehicle versus pedestrian accidents.
Five of those involved were unhoused individuals and three were classified as hit-and-runs.
Now, the police department is reminding people about the importance of safety.
“We remind them to walk in lighted areas, to reflective clothing, if possible, to not walk outside of a crosswalk,” said Sergeant Trueba-Vega. “If a person is driving to be aware of low-lit neighborhoods to try any traffic collisions.”
Officers want to emphasize the importance of staying on scene when an accident occurs. If they leave the area, the consequences are much worse as it would then be classified as a felony.
