Fatal hit-run victim found by his brother in Fresno street. Police still hunting suspect

Daniel Gaytan last saw his brother Monday morning as they were filling their landscaping trucks up at a gas station before heading out for the day.

Gaytan had bought his brother Gatorade, said he’d see him later, knowing the two would be meeting up again after work.

“Never in a million years that I would think that is the last time I would see my brother,” Gaytan said.

His brother, Fernando Gaytan Jr., was killed in a hit-and-run collision Monday afternoon. Police said the crash happened just before 5 p.m. as the 27-year old father of two was on his way to pick up his daughter at the family home.

“He was headed to our house because we live farther down the street, Gaytan said.

“He was headed that way. At the wrong place at the wrong time, I guess.”

Police said a black Mercedes was speeding westbound on Oleander Avenue when it ran a stop sign at Pickford Avenue and hit Fernando Gaytan Jr.’s car. The driver, identified by police on Wednesday as 44-year-old Ronnie White, left the Mercedes at the scene and was gone before officers arrived.

He is being sought for gross vehicular manslaughter, hit and run, reckless driving and being an unlicensed driver. Anyone with information on where White may be can contact police detectives Robert Cegielski or Jeremy Maffei. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 559-498-STOP.

Gaytan’s father and another brother were working on the roof of the home at the time and heard the crash; a “loud huge bang,” Gaytan said. The family rushed down to the scene, “just praying and hoping that it wasn’t him.”

“First thing I saw was his car. As I got closer I ran up to the scene and saw him lying on the floor,” he said.

“I kept asking myself, ‘Why him?’ He had everything going for him. He had a beautiful family ... Why does it have to be him and cannot it be me?”

Fernando Gaytan Jr. was often at the family home and had been over for a gathering the day before.

“Sunday he was over all day and we were there watching a soccer game, hanging out talking about brother stuff,” Gaytan said.

He remembers his brother as happy and outgoing and “super fun to be with.”

“He was always smiling, never frowning. ... Just an amazing son, brother and father,” he said.

Fernando Gaytan Jr.’s life changed when his daughter was born. She turns 3 next month.

“That is when he settled down and said, ‘I want to be a dad and no more partying for me,’” Gaytan said.

The family has created a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for funeral and other expenses.

This was the 25th traffic fatality in Fresno so far this year, according to police. There were 18 traffic deaths at this time last year.

This story was originally published May 5, 2021 at 9:33 AM.