CA Man Andrew Magana ID’d As Pedestrian In Tuesday Fresno Fatal Vehicle Strike

FRESNO COUNTY, CA. (THECOUNT) — Andrew Magana, a 37-year-old Fresno man, was killed early Tuesday morning after abandoning his vehicle on a highway transition road and later being struck by a suspected DUI driver on Highway 99, according to the Fresno County Coroner’s Office and the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities identified Magana as the pedestrian who died after being hit along southbound Highway 99 near Belmont Avenue. CHP officials said the incident began earlier when officers responded to a report involving Magana’s abandoned vehicle.

According to the California Highway Patrol, officers were called to the transition roadway connecting Highway 99 to Highway 180 in the early morning hours. Investigators said Magana had exited his vehicle and fled the scene, leaving the driver’s door open and the engine running. Responding officers secured and removed the vehicle from the roadway to prevent a traffic hazard.

Approximately 30 minutes later, around 12:45 a.m., CHP received a separate call reporting a pedestrian had been struck on southbound Highway 99, just south of Belmont Avenue. Officers responded to the location and found Magana suffering from fatal injuries.

Despite emergency response efforts, Magana was pronounced dead at the scene. CHP officials confirmed he was the same individual connected to the earlier abandoned vehicle incident.

During the subsequent investigation, officers determined the 22-year-old driver who struck Magana was operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. CHP said the driver sustained injuries in the collision and was transported for medical treatment.

Following treatment, the driver was taken into custody and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Authorities have not released the driver’s name pending the ongoing investigation.

CHP emphasized that officers responded appropriately to both incidents and took steps to reduce roadway danger after the initial abandoned vehicle was discovered. Officials noted that pedestrians on freeways and highway transition roads face extreme risk due to high vehicle speeds and limited driver reaction time.

Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding why Magana left his vehicle and entered the freeway. CHP said evidence from the scene, witness statements, and toxicology results will be reviewed as part of the ongoing case.

The collision remains under active investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed either incident or has additional information is encouraged to contact the California Highway Patrol.

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