Two men arrested in Fresno hit-and-run

Two men were arrested Tuesday after Fresno County sheriff’s detectives said they failed to stop for a traffic violation and led police on a short chase.

Fresno County sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said members of the sheriff’s ag task force were patrolling near Feland and Weldon avenues in Fresno when they spotted a white Honda Civic driving with expired registration. The detectives activated their lights and sirens and attempted to pull over the car, which sped away.

The Honda slowed down briefly and the passenger, identified as 30-year-old David Piersen, jumped out of the car while it was still moving and ran away, Botti said. Deputies followed the driver through a trailer park in the 3100 block of West McKinley Avenue.

The Honda then crashed into a parked car. Harvey Welch, 41, of Fresno, then left the vehicle and ran from detectives, Botti said. Welch tossed two small bags of methamphetamine while running, Botti added.

Welch was eventually captured and booked on hit and run, reckless driving and drug possession charges. He was also booked for a probation violation and a warrant for a previous crime.

Deputies located Piersen a block away during a ground search. He was cited and released for resisting arrest.

This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 8:21 PM with the headline "Two men arrested in Fresno hit-and-run."