One pedestrian died and another suffered serious injuries near Viognier Street
June 11, 2026 | Tulare, CA
What happened in the crash?
Tulare police responded to a hit-and-run just after midnight Thursday at the intersection of Paseo Del Lago and Viognier Street. A woman and her boyfriend were struck while walking. The man was taken to a local hospital and later died from his injuries. The woman sustained serious injuries.
Abraham Payeras, 34, was arrested after a hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of a man and serious injuries to a woman in Tulare.
- Date and time: Just after midnight, Thursday, June 11
- Location: Paseo Del Lago and Viognier Street, Tulare, CA
- Driver arrested: Abraham Payeras, 34
- Charges: Driving under the influence of alcohol and gross vehicular manslaughter
- Outcome: Two men were located hiding behind residential trash cans and taken into custody
Why do hit-and-run crashes occur?
Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime. Many drivers flee because they are intoxicated, unlicensed, or fear arrest. National data shows these incidents remain a persistent public safety issue.
Legal Insights
Having the proper resources is extremely important in order to investigate a hit-and-run accident case and prove negligence. Road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must be thoroughly examined. These procedures are necessary for helping those who have lost a loved one at the hands of a hit-and-run driver receive the justice and monetary compensation that they deserve.
— Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal.
Key takeaways from the analysis:
- Independent investigation helps protect family rights in cases such as this
- Factors like road conditions and lighting require a thorough review
- Civil actions remain available for qualifying families
An incident is considered a wrongful death when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person's death. When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, hit-and-run, or driving under the influence, family members are usually left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist.
— Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal.
Hit-and-Run Crash Statistics
| Metric | Data | Source |
|---|
| Annual fatalities | Approximately 2,000 | CDC |
| Yearly increase since 2009 | About 7% | CDC |
| National frequency | More than one hit-and-run crash per minute | Federal Highway Administration |
The crash remains under investigation. Pending those results, the family of the man killed may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim covering medical and funeral expenses, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
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