Man Charged With Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated in Connection with Deadly Pasadena Hit-and-Run

A 20-year-old Victorville man has been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and hit-and-run for allegedly striking and killing a pedestrian while driving through Pasadena on Friday, then fleeing the scene without stopping to help, authorities said.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed the charges against Alberto Fernandez on Wednesday, according to L.A. County Superior Court records. He was scheduled to appear in the court’s Pasadena branch on Friday to enter a plea.

He was detained by the California Highway Patrol in Monrovia within hours of Friday’s hit-and-run, which took place shortly after 9 p.m. at Orange Grove Boulevard and North Marengo Avenue, according to Pasadena police Lt. Marcia Taglioretti.

He was driving east on Orange Grove when he struck a pedestrian, described as a 64-year-old Pasadena man, and continued driving, police said. Paramedics pronounced the senior citizen dead at the scene.

The identity of the victim was not released by coroner’s officials Thursday pending notification of family members.

As the investigation was ongoing, CHP officers pulled Fernandez over for an unrelated traffic violation shortly before 1 a.m., according to police and county booking records.

The officers noticed “significant damage” on his vehicle and asked him about it, Lt. Sean Dawkins said. Fernandez made statements linking him to the prior deadly collision.

Pasadena police conducted a field sobriety test, determined Fernandez was under the influence of alcohol and arrested him, he said.

Bail for Fernandez was set at $105,000, according to county booking records.

Anyone with information can reach the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4501. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

See also:

Driver Accused of Hit-and-Run After Fatally Striking Senior Citizen in Pasadena: Police