Driver Arrested On Murder, DUI Charges After Pedestrian Killed In Carlsbad Hit-And-Run

CARLSBAD, CA — A man was arrested on suspicion of murder and DUI after a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run collision Tuesday night in Carlsbad, authorities said.

The crash was reported around 7:45 p.m. in the 3800 block of Carlsbad Boulevard, according to the Carlsbad Police Department. Officers found the pedestrian in the roadway with major injuries. The pedestrian was taken to a hospital, where they died.

The driver fled after the collision, police said. Investigators used evidence found at the scene, information from community members and automated license plate readers to locate the vehicle just over a mile from the crash site. Air support from the San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff's Office also assisted in the search.

Police identified the driver as Fernando Saldana, 26, of Escondido. He was arrested on suspicion of murder, leaving the scene of a collision resulting in injury or death, DUI causing injury or death, and gross vehicular manslaughter.

Saldana, who police said has a prior DUI conviction, was booked into the Vista Detention Facility.

The pedestrian's identity was withheld pending release by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office.

The cause of the collision remained under investigation. Police said alcohol was suspected as a contributing factor.

Anyone with information about the collision was asked to contact Carlsbad police Traffic Accident Investigator Nicholas Alvarado at 442-339-5136 or Nicholas.Alvarado@carlsbadca.gov.