Tulare, CA – In the early hours of Thursday, June 11, 2026, a suspected DUI hit-and-run resulted in the death of a man, left a woman seriously injured, and led to the arrest of Abraham Payeras, 34, according to ABC30.
The Tulare Police Department reports that the accident took place just after midnight near Paseo Del Lago and Viognier Street.
Authorities said a woman and her boyfriend were walking home when they were struck by a vehicle whose driver fled the scene. Officers arrived to find the woman suffering from significant injuries and began assisting her.
While receiving aid, the woman repeatedly asked officers about her companion. A search of the surrounding area led officers to the male victim, who was found in the backyard of a nearby home with critical injuries. Emergency medical personnel performed life-saving measures and transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officers located two men hiding behind residential trash cans a short time after the crash and took both into custody without incident. Payeras was identified as the driver and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and gross vehicular manslaughter.
The identities of the victims had not been released at the time of reporting.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tulare Police Department. The investigation remains ongoing.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Wrongful Death Claims
Drivers have a duty of care towards pedestrians, which includes being vigilant for those travelling by foot and, if a collision occurs, staying with the victim, alerting emergency responders, and cooperating with authorities investigating the crash.
For those who lose a loved one in a pedestrian accident, filing a wrongful death claim with the assistance of an experienced attorney can provide compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, and other related damages.
Should the at-fault driver evade authorities, compensation might still be available through a family member’s uninsured driver coverage. Consulting with a personal injury attorney can help determine the best options in such cases.
Tulare Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Tulare pedestrian accident lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
