Man Arrested on DUI, Child Endangerment Charges After Fatal Hit and Run

MODESTO – Authorities arrested a 34 year old man on several charges including DUI after a fatal hit and run crash Sunday night.

At about 11:00pm officers with the Modesto Police Department responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle near the intersection of 16th and Burney Streets. Arriving officers found a man suffering from major injuries. Witnesses report the man was lighting fireworks in the roadway. Life saving efforts were performed, but the man died from his injuries at the scene.

Police say the involved driver called to report he believed he collided with a person while driving north on Burney Street. The driver said he was distracted by fireworks at the time.

Officers responded and met with the driver, and determined he was driving under the influence and may have been speeding at the time of the crash. Officials said he also had his 12 year old child in the vehicle at the time of the collision.

A witness who rushed to help the victim described the scene as chaotic and heartbreaking.

“I heard the sound of fireworks and silence, and right after that screaming,” the witness said. She rushed over to the victim and began performing CPR until first responders arrived.

After a sobriety test, 34 year old Jesus Lemus of Modesto was arrested and charged with DUI while causing great bodily injury, child abuse, gross vehicular manslaughter, and felony hit and run.

Authorities would like to remind motorists to designate a sober driver, slow down and avoid distractions.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Officer Raduechel at raduechelr@modestopd.com or Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 where callers can remain anonymous.