A 26-year-old Escondido resident is facing murder and other serious charges following a fatal hit-and-run collision that occurred last month in Carlsbad, police announced.
Fernando Saldana was taken into custody after officers responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the 3800 block of Carlsbad Boulevard on the evening of September 15. Police arrived at approximately 7:46 p.m. and found a pedestrian in the roadway who had suffered severe injuries. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, the victim died from their injuries. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office will release the victim's identity at a later time.
Authorities were able to track down the suspect vehicle, which had left the scene, using a combination of physical evidence, tips from residents, automated license plate recognition technology, and aerial assistance from both the San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The vehicle was discovered slightly more than a mile away from where the collision took place.
After additional investigative work, detectives identified and arrested Saldana, who now faces charges including murder, fleeing the scene of a collision causing injury or death, DUI causing injury or death, and gross vehicular manslaughter. According to police, Saldana has a previous conviction for driving under the influence. He is currently being held at the Vista Detention Facility. Investigators believe alcohol played a role in the collision, though the full cause remains under review.
Carlsbad police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Traffic Accident Investigator Officer Nicholas Alvarado at 442-339-5136 or via email at Nicholas.Alvarado@carlsbadca.gov.