According to the California Highway Patrol, around 12:10 a.m. On January 27, officers were alerted about a car that was stopped in the fast lane of the transition road from Highway 99 to Highway 180.
Fresno, CA – A driver died after he abandoned his car on Highway 99 early Tuesday morning in Fresno, then ran back onto the highway and got hit by a DUI driver.
The victim was identified by the Fresno County Coroner's Office as 37-year-old Andrew Magana from Fresno.
According to the California Highway Patrol, around 12:10 a.m. On January 27, officers were alerted about a car that was stopped in the fast lane of the transition road from Highway 99 to Highway 180. The officers were informed that the driver of the vehicle ran away, leaving the car's door open and the engine running.
When CHP officers responded to the scene, they found the vehicle, a Toyota Prius, on the roadway. The officers inspected it and determined it had not been involved in a crash, then removed it from the road.
A short time later, about 12:45 a.m., officers received calls about a man running in and out of Highway 99 lanes. About three minutes after the reports, the officers were alerted that the man had been struck by a car on Highway 99 near Belmont Avenue.
CHP responded to the area and determined that the pedestrian who was hit was the driver who had abandoned the Prius on the roadway.
Magana was pronounced dead at the scene.
The officers also determined that the 22-year-old driver who hit Magana was driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested.
An investigation into the collision is ongoing.
In 2023, California recorded approximately 1,106 pedestrian fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, marking an 8.8 % decrease from 2022 but remaining one of the highest totals in recent years. Pedestrians account for a significant portion of traffic fatalities statewide. These fatal collisions occur predominantly in urban areas, with counties like Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, and Orange reporting the highest numbers of pedestrian deaths. Nighttime collisions — especially from 6 pm to midnight — account for over half of fatal pedestrian crashes, and weekends see a disproportionate share of incidents. Key contributing factors include pedestrian violations, pedestrian right-of-way violations, unsafe speed, and improper turning by drivers. Males, particularly ages 25–55, make up the majority of pedestrian fatalities. These statistics highlight persistent safety challenges for people walking in California despite recent reductions.
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