Update: Suspect arrested believed to be responsible in fatal hit-and-run in Fresno County
UPDATE: The California Highway Patrol said a 41-year-old Orosi woman turned herself in at the Orange Cove Police Department. Rafaela Cruz was taken into custody by the California Highway Patrol. She has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on felony gross vehicular manslaughter charges.
ORIGINAL STORY: Authorities need help in locating a vehicle believed to be involved in a deadly hit-and-run Saturday night in Fresno County.
Officers responded at 9:30 p.m. to Adams and Cove avenues in Orange Cove after a bicyclist was struck.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a woman on a bicycle was traveling westbound on Adams Avenue when she was struck from behind by a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck, also traveling westbound.
The truck dragged the bicycle 120 feet and the driver drove away from the scene without rendering aid or notifying emergency services, CHP said.
The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
CHP said the victim was not wearing a helmet but did have a handheld lighting device activated to increase her visibility.
Investigators are seeking the public’s help in locating the vehicle, believed to be a red Chevrolet Silverado 1500, model year early-to-mid 2000s. The vehicle should have noticeable damage to the right front and likely missing a headlight lens, and may also be missing a black Chevrolet “bowtie” grille emblem.
A smoked-out headlight lens and a black bow tie emblem were recovered at the scene, CHP said.
Anyone with information is asked to call CHP at 559-262-0400 or call Valley Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867. Callers may remain anonymous.
This story was originally published June 29, 2025 at 1:21 PM.
