Man killed in hit-and-run crash in southeast Fresno

The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has identified the man found lying in the middle of a southeast Fresno street and later declared dead as John Romero, 66, of Fresno.

Officers received a call around 9:15 p.m. Thursday for an injury collision on East Avenue, north of Florence Avenue, the Fresno Police Department said. The area is industrial near railroad tracks and just east of the highways 41/99 interchange.

The victim was found by a passerby and his family lying in the roadway next to his overturned wheelchair and several drink containers and plastic car parts. The man was unresponsive and taken to Community Regional Medical Center, where he was declared dead, said Lt. Mindy Casto.

Collision Reconstruction Unit detectives determined that a vehicle hit the victim and fled southbound on East Avenue. The suspect vehicle appears to be a single cab, short bed truck, possibly a Ford, according to police.

Anyone with information on the collision is asked to call Detective Brian Hance at 559-621-5057, the Fresno Police Department at 559-621-7000 or Crime Stoppers at 888-498-STOP (7867).

This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 7:20 AM with the headline "Man killed in hit-and-run crash in southeast Fresno."