The Fresno Bee reports that a driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol is now facing the charge of manslaughter after they struck and killed a bicyclist on Wednesday.
California Highway Patrol spokesperson Mike Salas told reporters that the fatal crash happened at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Herndon Avenue just east of Locan Avenue when the driver of a Dodge Ram pickup truck rear-ended a male bicyclist.
The bicyclist had been heading westbound on Herndon Avenue when he was hit. The impact force ejected him off his vehicle and onto the pavement.
The driver of the truck failed to render aid to the fallen bicyclist and fled the scene of the crash.
Both Clovice Police Department officers and the California Highway Patrol responded to the scene just moments after the crash. Unfortunately, despite all lifesaving efforts made by paramedics and first responders, the 33-year-old male bicyclist died at the scene.
Eyewitnesses who were uninvolved in the crash called 911 and informed police of the suspect driver’s location. He was later located nearby at his home and arrested by the CHP.
The suspect has been identified as 36-year-old Jonathan Petty of Clovis. CHP officers determined that Perry was under the influence of alcohol. He was taken to Community Medical Center for further evaluation and toxicology testing before being booked into Fresno County Jail.
Petty is currently facing the charges of DUI, hit-and-run, failure to render aid, and gross vehicular manslaughter.
