Teen riding bicycle killed by hit-and-run DUI driver in South Valley. Suspect has prior DUIs
A 15-year-old boy riding a bicycle was struck and killed by a hit-and-run alleged DUI driver in Porterville on Tuesday night.
The suspect, Harvey Jacobo, 23, of Porterville had a suspended driver’s license because of prior DUIs, Porterville police said, and was driving without a required ignition interlock device – meant to prevent a drunk driver from starting a vehicle.
Police said they found Jacobo later Tuesday night. He was booked into the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office South County Detention Facility, where he was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Jacobo was arrested for alleged vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run causing death, DUI causing death, driving on a suspended driver’s license, and driving without a required ignition interlock device.
The 15-year-old cyclist, who was not named by police, was struck around 6:55 p.m. in the intersection of Westwood Street and Olive Avenue in Porterville. The boy sustained major injuries from the collision and died at an area hospital.
Witnesses told police a dark-colored vehicle fled the scene of the crash. Investigators said they found that vehicle around 8:45 P.M., parked and unoccupied in the 1700 block of West Olive Avenue. Further investigation led officers to a residence in the 500 block of South Milo Street in Porterville, where they found Jacobo, who police determined to be the driver of the vehicle that struck the 15-year-old.
Anyone with information about the fatal crash is asked to contact Porterville Police Officer K. Horton at 559-782-7400.
