By Gina Yarbrough
Carlsbad, CA–An Escondido man was arrested in connection with a traffic collision that killed a pedestrian in Carlsbad this week, authorities said.
Carlsbad police responded to the 3800 block of Carlsbad Boulevard at approximately 7:46 p.m. on September 15 to investigate a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.
Upon arrival, officers located a pedestrian in the roadway who had sustained major injuries. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital, where they were pronounced deceased.
The involved vehicle had fled the area. Using evidence left at the scene, along with assistance from community members, Carlsbad’s automated license plate readers and air support from the San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, officers located the involved vehicle just over one mile from the collision site.
The driver was located and identified as 26-year-old Fernando Saldana of Escondido. He was arrested for murder, leaving the scene of a collision resulting in injury or death, DUI causing injury or death, and gross vehicular manslaughter. Saldana, who has a prior DUI conviction, was booked into the Vista Detention Facility.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation, though alcohol is suspected to be a contributing factor, according to the Carlsbad Police Department.
The Carlsbad Police Department is seeking additional witnesses to the incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Traffic Accident Investigator Officer Nicholas Alvarado at (442) 339-5136 or Nicholas.Alvarado@carlsbadca.gov.
