MODESTO – Authorities arrested a 39 year old Merced man on homicide charges after the intentional hit and run of two pedestrians claimed the life of one early Wednesday morning.
Shortly after midnight police were called to the area of Maze Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr Drive for a report of a person hit by a vehicle.
Officers arriving at the scene located a man and woman who were both struck by a vehicle. A woman was found in the alley behind the convenience store at the intersection. A man who was also struck and injured crawled toward the front of the store for help.
The 61 year old woman who was found in the alley next to a tent was unresponsive. Police officers began performing CPR on her until medics arrived. She was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The 30 year old male victim was also taken to a hospital by ambulance and was taken straight into treatment. Officials believe both victims may be related but as of late Wednesday morning those details had not been confirmed.
Authorities believed a possible argument had led up to the incident according to Lieutenant Chris Adams. Witness accounts indicated the act appeared intentional, the Lieutenant explained. Police were also reviewing surveillance video.
One witness who declined to be identified said he saw the vehicle strike a person, back up and then hit them again. He explained he then saw the vehicle drive away from the area.
Police officers closed off the alleyway with crime scene tape as detectives and crime scene technicians responded to investigate and gather evidence.
While officers worked the scene, a police cadet spotted a vehicle nearby matching the description. The cadet, identified as Mason Lewis, followed the vehicle and guided patrol officers to its location. Officers were able to stop the vehicle and detain the driver, identified as Cruz Diaz, to be interviewed.
Cadet Lewis has been with the department since his signing up as an explorer and is on his way to the police academy Lieutenant Adams said.
The Nissan sedan suspected of being involved in the crash was seized as evidence by police. There was visible damage on the vehicle and it was missing a mirror. The front passenger tire was flat.
Diaz was booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on homicide charges.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Detective Booza at boozag@modestopd.com or Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 where callers can remain anonymous.
An officer provides aid to the victim of a hit and run behind the A&M Market
Officers provide aid to a 30 year old man who was struck by a vehicle Wednesday morning.
The vehicle officers seized after a fatal hit and run near the A&M Market.
Officers close off the alley where a fatal hit and run occurred Wednesday morning.
Carlos Rodriguez is an Emmy Award winning photojournalist specializing in public safety and natural disasters. His passion for local news stems from a deep commitment to his community, with a selfless mission to inform the citizens of the valley. As he worked on assignment for 19 days at the devastating Camp Fire in Paradise, California, he spent most of his time helping survivors contact their loved ones to let them know they were ok. Carlos is a veteran of Univision, FOX, and Telemundo TV stations and a native of Modesto, California.
Authorities investigate an officer involved shooting near Hammer Lane and Mariner's Drive Sunday night.
STOCKTON – A section of Hammer Lane West of Interstate 5 was closed down Sunday evening after a shooting involving authorities.
The incident occurred at about 8:00pm near the intersection of Hammer Lane and Mariner’s Drive. Hammer Lane was closed down to traffic at the Southbound exit/entrance to Interstate 5.
Both Stockton Police Officers and Officers with California Highway Patrol were on scene. The circumstances surrounding the incident were not available Sunday night, but there did appear to be on person deceased at the scene.
Residents who were trying to reach their homes on Mariner’s Drive were unable to early on in the investigation. A nearby gas station was also closed off with crime scene tape.
More details will be posted as they become available.
TURLOCK – Detectives are investigating the fatal stabbing of a seventeen year old boy that took place Friday night.
Authorities believe that the victim was leaving a house party near the 2000 block of North Daubenberger Road at about 10:45pm, when police received the call reporting the stabbing had taken place.
Arriving officers found the teen on the sidewalk suffering from at least one stab wound. Officers began performing CPR until the victim was transported by medics to a hospital. The victim died about an hour later.
Detectives interviewed witnesses who stayed behind and believe a group of individuals, either white or Hispanic males in their teens or early 20’s, confronted the victim as he was leaving the party. A fight then took place, ending with the victim being stabbed. Friends of the victim called 911 for help.
Further information was not available Saturday morning.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Detective Frank Navarro at (209) 664-7319 or the Turlock Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780. Crime Stoppers is also available at (209) 521-4636 where callers can remain anonymous.
Investigators examine a crime scene where a homicide took place on El Dorado Street on February 14th, 2023.
STOCKTON – A 41 year old man was arrested by authorities in connection to a homicide that took place on February 14th of this year.
Shortly before 3:00am that morning, police officers responded to the 600 block of North El Dorado Street for a report of a person down. Arriving officers located a 60 year old man who was suffering from stab wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Throughout the course of the investigation, authorities were able to identify and arrest 41 year old Robert Lee Sandoval Friday in connection to the case. He was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail without possibility of bail on a murder charge.
Sandoval is due in San Joaquin County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon.