Hanford, CA — 70-year-old Ronald Torres of Hanford has been identified as the pedestrian who lost his life in a hit-and-run collision on the morning of Sunday, October 25, 2026, according to ABC30.
The suspect involved in the crash has been identified as 26-year-old Bryan Gomez.
At approximately 8:30 AM, the Hanford Police Department first received reports of the accident near Leland Way and 9 1/4 Avenue, near Hamilton Elementary School in eastern Hanford.
Officers arriving at the scene found Torres deceased, with injuries indicating that he had been struck by a vehicle. However, the driver involved was nowhere to be found.
According to investigators, the accident is believed to have happened between 6:20 and 6:40 AM. Investigators suspected the vehicle involved was a 2007 silver Toyota RAV-4 with front-end damage from the crash.
Hanford PD stated that footage retrieved from nearby surveillance cameras showed Gomez striking Torres with his vehicle, then coming back to the accident site minutes later.
After evidence directed investigators toward a nearby house on Harrison Avenue, they were able to identify Gomez based on witness statements. Gomez was also discovered to be an unlicensed driver. He was arrested at his job near Highway 43 and Lansing Avenue on Monday, October 26.
Gomez informed detectives that they could find the RAV-4 they were looking for parked at a home in Armona. He was booked into Kings County Jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run resulting in death and vehicular manslaughter.
Pedestrian Hit-and-Run Accidents in California and Wrongful Death Claims
California law requires drivers involved in an accident where a pedestrian is injured to remain at the site of the accident and cooperate with authorities. Failure to do so may be charged as a hit-and-run, which is a felony in cases of serious permanent injury or death.
Regardless of the results of criminal proceedings, Torres’s family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim can compensate for funeral expenses and the loss of companionship and support the deceased provided.
However, if Gomez is uninsured as well as unlicensed, that could create complications for pursuing compensation. A California wrongful death lawyer can help Torres’s family explore their options.
California Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been affected by an accident like the one described here at Leland Way and 9 1/4 Avenue near Hamilton Elementary School, a California wrongful death lawyer would be happy to answer any questions and offer a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation.
