Monday, 27 July 2026, 23:46
A man is dead after being struck by a vehicle in Sanger early Thursday morning in what police are investigating as a hit-and-run. The Sanger Police Department received a call around 5:26 a.m. for a welfare check on a person lying in the street on Academy Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets. Officers arrived to find the man with traumatic injuries consistent with being hit by a car. Despite immediate medical aid, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim has been identified as Bernard Anhelm, 71, of Sanger. A passing motorist discovered Anhelm unresponsive and called 911.
The driver involved in the crash left before emergency responders arrived, according to authorities. Police are actively searching for the suspect and have closed Academy Avenue near 5th Street for several hours for investigation. Drivers are advised to avoid the area.
Nearly 12 hours after the crash, police arrested 57-year-old Alvino Castro of Sanger. He was booked into jail on a charge of felony hit-and-run resulting in death. Investigators used the city's public surveillance system, along with the recently implemented Flock license plate and camera system, to identify Castro's truck.
The incident occurred in Sanger, a city in Fresno County, California. The area is a residential and commercial corridor, and the closure is expected to cause traffic delays. The victim's identity has been released as Bernard Anhelm, 71, of Sanger.
Hit-and-run crashes are a persistent problem in California, with thousands occurring each year. In 2023, the state saw over 1,000 fatal hit-and-run crashes, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. This incident highlights the ongoing need for public awareness and enforcement to prevent such tragedies.
Anyone with information about this hit-and-run is urged to contact the Sanger Police Department at (559) 875-8522. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are seeking any witnesses or drivers who may have dashcam footage or surveillance video from the area.
