A pedestrian was hit and killed. The driver cooperated and wasn’t DUI, CHP says
.JPG)
A pedestrian was hit and killed outside of Reedley shortly after midnight on Sunday, and it’s unclear whether drugs or alcohol were involved, California Highway Patrol reported.
The driver of the Jeep Cherokee that hit the pedestrian was cooperative with the investigation, and law enforcement determined he was not under the influence. Investigators are awaiting toxicology results to determine whether the pedestrian was impaired.
Reedley police first found the Jeep Cherokee near Manning and Rio Vista avenues. The 32-year-old male driver was outside walking near his vehicle. He told police he hit something and was trying to locate it.
Neither the driver nor police could find anything. Officers evaluated the man and determined he wasn’t under the influence of drugs or alcohol so he was released.
But later officers found a body on the road shoulder about 30 feet south of Manning Avenue and realized it was a pedestrian who was stuck by the driver of the Jeep Cherokee. Emergency Medical Services responded and determined the man was deceased.
Police contacted the driver of the Cherokee and notified California Highway Patrol since the incident occurred in CHP jurisdiction.
CHP determined the pedestrian was walking either on Manning Avenue or on the shoulder when the driver of the Jeep Cherokee struck him. The pedestrian was thrown to the shoulder of the road and suffered fatal injuries.
The Fresno County Coroner’s Office is working to identify the pedestrian.
The investigation is ongoing.