Wednesday, 29 July 2026, 22:21
Reedley police have publicly identified the suspect in a hit-and-run crash that killed an elderly couple early Tuesday morning. The suspect, 48-year-old Omar Lopez Chavez, is still at large.
According to Reedley Police Chief Marc Ediger, Chavez was driving a white Chevy Astro van with several farmworkers to a job site when he struck two pedestrians near the intersection of Manning and Haney avenues just before 5 a.m. Police say the victims were walking in the area. Everyone inside the van witnessed the crash, but Chavez continued driving to the work site without stopping. The victims were rushed to the hospital but later died.
The victims have been identified as 75-year-old Luis Martinez Araujo and 78-year-old Maria Juarez Mendez, both residents of Reedley. The crash took place at 4:45 a.m., according to reports from ABC30 and KMPH.
Police said that after the collision, Chavez did not stop. Instead, he continued driving to a job site, where the passengers were reportedly farmworkers. All witnesses inside the van are cooperating with investigators, and Chavez's family is also cooperating, according to the police chief.
The suspected vehicle was later found abandoned in a fruit orchard near Highway 145 and American Avenue in Fresno County. Officers located witnesses working in the field and interviewed them.
Authorities have obtained a warrant for Chavez's arrest. The investigation remains ongoing.
The incident occurred in Reedley, a city in Fresno County known for its agricultural community. Many farmworkers commute early in the morning, and the area where the crash happened is near agricultural fields. The tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety on rural roads, especially in the early morning hours with limited lighting.
Hit-and-run crashes resulting in fatalities are a serious problem in California. Under state law, drivers involved in accidents causing injury or death must stop and provide identification. Leaving the scene can result in felony charges with severe penalties, including prison time. This case underscores the legal and moral obligations of drivers to remain at the scene.
Authorities continue to search for Omar Lopez Chavez. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Reedley Police Department. The community mourns the loss of Luis Martinez Araujo and Maria Juarez Mendez, and hopes for a swift resolution to this case.
