Woman killed in rear-end crash on Fresno County highway. Why the other driver is in jail

A 60-year-old woman was killed and a 63-year-old passenger suffered major injuries in a hit-and-run collision in western Fresno County, according to the California Highway Patrol.

About 3:30 p.m. on Friday, a silver Acura was traveling east on Highway 198, west of Lassen Avenue, at a high rate of speed, according to CHP Officer Hugo Solorio.

The Acura overtook a Toyota Camry and the driver was unable to avoid a collision, pushing the Camry to the left of the road where it overturned.

The 60-year-old woman, who was the driver of the Camry, was ejected from the car and killed, Solorio said. She was identified Saturday as Rochelle Weston, 60, of Vallejo.

The Acura veered to the right of the highway, crashing into a tree in an orchard. The driver ran away but was later arrested in Huron about four miles south of the crash scene. He was identified as Daniel Melgarejo, 28, of Coalinga. CHP said Melgarejo had moderate injuries.

CHP said officers believe alcohol and or drugs were a factor in the crash.

This story was originally published August 1, 2020 at 9:46 AM.