VISALIA, Calif. (THECOUNT) — CHP spokesperson identified Fayth Chio Cerda as the victim of a deadly hit-and-run crash in Tulare County Wednesday.
Cerda, 21, was was passenger in a Toyota Matrix vehicle traveling on Avenue 408 and Road 104, near Dinuba early Wednesday morning when the crash occurred.
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The California Highway Patrol says a man struck the Matrix from behind and then fled the Tulare County crash scene in a second arriving vehicle. That man is now in custody, after turning himself in.
Officials are not releasing the suspect’s name yet, saying the case is still under investigation.
The force pushed the vehicle into a telephone pole. source
The driver of the matrix, a 21-year-old female, received significant injuries and was flown to a Fresno hospital.
The other car, a Chevy Malibu ended up in a field.
The CHP says an independent witness saw him get out and leave the scene in another car.
“The information we have is that he left a party and somebody was following him and then essentially witnessed the collision from a distance and drove up,” said Sgt. Ryan Pedersen. “The other party stated that they didn’t realize that the other vehicle was there. It was dark, so I guess it’s plausible.”
Using the car’s license plate number, the CHP tracked down the owner of the Malibu, who said the last person to use the vehicle was their son.
Family members started a gofundme page to help with Cerda’s funeral expenses.
From gofundme:
On the Morning of July 4th at approximately 4:30 AM sheriff department reported a vehicle rear ending another vehicle and then fled the scene the accident was on road 408 near Dinuba; A knock on the door confirmed the news to the Cerda Family of the death of their Beautiful Daughter Fayth Chio Cerda; she was a vibrant 21 Year old with so much To live for she entered a room and immediately enlightened it with her presence. Fayth was always happy she never wanted to see anyone down so she did what she knew best and that was to make you smile. Oh how we are going to miss our little Fayth. But we know that Jesus was waiting for her with open arms.
Being that this was sudden we her family have decided to take up a GoFund me account to help the Cerda’s with all the expenses this tragedy as incurred. Please help with anything every little bit will help in the burial costs of their little girl. More so please Pray for us as this is such a hard time for our entire family.
Anyone with information on the crash is urged to contact police at 911.