The collision occurred around 7:45 p.m. on September 15, 2026, at Carlsbad Boulevard and Redwood Avenue.
Carlsbad, CA – A 45-year-old Carlsbad woman died Tuesday evening after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing an intersection on Carlsbad Boulevard, according to authorities.
The victim was identified as Vanessa Wheyland, 45, of Carlsbad, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The collision occurred around 7:45 p.m. on September 15, 2026, at Carlsbad Boulevard and Redwood Avenue.
Emergency personnel found Wheyland after she was struck and transported her to Sharp Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, where she was later pronounced dead at approximately 8 p.m.
The vehicle involved left the scene following the collision. Investigators used evidence recovered at the crash site, information from witnesses, and the city’s automated license plate reader system to locate the vehicle about a mile away.
The driver, identified as Fernando Saldana, 26, of Escondido, was arrested on suspicion of murder, hit-and-run leading to injury or death, DUI causing injury or death, and gross vehicular manslaughter. Saldana was booked into the Vista Detention Facility.
Authorities also reported that Saldana had a prior DUI conviction.
The fatal pedestrian crash remains under investigation by the Carlsbad Police Department.