Fresno woman mourns husband, and ‘an awesome dad,’ who has died after a hit and run
Shelly Roberts knew something wasn’t right when her husband of 18 years didn’t come home after getting off work on a recent Tuesday night.
Donald Roberts had just left the second of his two jobs, but he never made it to his Cedar Commons Apartment unit.
Shelly and her daughter kept calling and calling. There was no answer.
Finally, the phone picked up about 7:30 a.m. the next day.
It was a Community Regional Medical Center nurse, who informed the family that Donald was in intensive care.
Roberts was struck by a vehicle in northeast Fresno near Fresno State about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 25. He was listed in critical condition until Saturday afternoon, when he died after being removed from life support. He was 49.
“He was an awesome dad,” Shelly Roberts said. “He does so much for my daughter and my son. On Saturday, he would take my daughter’s dog and go for walks and he would take her to lunches and call her on her breaks and wanted to make sure her day is going good.
“Just wanting to know about her day when he was at work. Same thing with my son and now she’s not going to be able to get that call or text any more and that’s really hard for her.”
Roberts, who had just gotten off the bus and was only a short walk from home, was struck by a vehicle headed west on Bullard Avenue.
Officers arrived and rendered aid to Roberts, who was left lying in the left westbound lane, just west of Cedar.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Roberts fled the scene, police said, and was later arrested. Kevin Polidario, 30, was charged with hit and run resulting in injury or death and an enhancement for infliction of great bodily injury during a felony.
He posted $40,000 bail and is due back April 5 in Fresno County Superior Court.
Shelly Roberts said her husband suffered a severe brain injury, losing the supply of oxygen for a time, and his left leg had been amputated.
“The amount of injuries he sustained is not what this guy is going to get,” Shelly Roberts said, referring to the suspect. “It’s not even enough. I just wish we can change the laws about the hit-and-runs. He needs to pay for what he did. It’s so uncalled for.”
Funeral services are pending. A Gofundme account has been set up for Roberts’ family.
Donald Roberts is survived his wife, Donna, daughter Courteney, 15, and son Conner, 17. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers.
Donna Roberts said her husband kept fighting until the end.
“He tried his hardest,” she said. “I’m angry and hurt.”
This story was originally published February 6, 2022 at 5:25 PM.
