Pedestrian killed while pushing man in wheelchair, Fresno police say

One man was killed and another was left in critical condition Sunday after they were hit by a truck while crossing a street in central Fresno on Sunday, police say.

Around 1 a.m., a 64-year-old man was pushing a 60-year-old man in a wheelchair on West Avenue near Shields Avenue. They were heading west and not using the crosswalk when they were struck, Lt. Stephen Viveros said.

The victim was identified Monday by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office as Arnold Rowe, 64, of Fresno.

The 45-year-old driver of the pickup told police he did not see the men in the road. Rowe was killed and the other man, who has not been identified, was rushed to the hospital. Police were still trying to determine who was at fault in the collision but confirmed the pedestrians were violating the law by crossing a street outside a crosswalk.

Police said the driver of the truck was cooperating with the investigation.

Viveros said it was unclear how the two pedestrians were related.

The fatality marks the 11th pedestrian death this year in Fresno, according to police statistics. Pedestrian deaths are down 31 percent compared to last year, Viveros said.

This story was originally published July 28, 2019 at 2:23 PM.