A driver suspected of hitting and killing a man who was visiting with a friend while standing on the side of Winding Way four months ago, then fleeing the scene has been arrested.
The California Highway Patrol announced the arrest in hit-and-run crash that killed one man and injured another March 22.
Steve Hernandez, 38, of Sacramento was arrested Sunday by Sacramento police officers investigating a stolen vehicle report. During an interview with CHP investigators at the Sacramento County Jail, Hernandez admitted being the driver at the time of the collision, a CHP news release states.
About 5:45 p.m. March 22, Paul Pellandini, 57, and a friend, William Collins, 54, of Carmichael were visiting each other at Pellandini's home on the north side of Winding Way, just west of Carnegie Way. The two men stood next to Collins' vehicle when a westbound vehicle on Winding Way traveled onto the shoulder where the men were standing and struck both of them.
The men were thrown into the air and landed on the right shoulder of the road. Pellandini's wife heard the sound of the impact and came outside to find her husband on the ground.
Pellandini died at the scene. Collins' was hospitalized with major but non-life-threatening injuries.
CHP officials said investigators received numerous tips from Sacramento Crime Alert and information from witnesses. They had identified Hernandez as the driver but were still trying to locate him when he was arrested Sunday, the news release states.
Sacramento police arrested Hernandez about 5:15 p.m. Sunday on suspicion of vehicle theft, receiving stolen property and for an outstanding warrant for a hit-and-run collision in North Sacramento in 2010.
Following the interview with CHP investigators, Hernandez also booked on suspicion of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, felony hit and run, and driving on a suspended license.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.