Modesto, CA — A suspect has been arrested in relation to a pedestrian hit-and-run in which DUI is suspected, which resulted in the death of Jacob Moore, 35, of Modesto, on Friday, October 2, 2026, according to FOX40.
The Modesto Police Department reports that the fatal accident took place at the intersection of 14th Street and I Street near the McHenry Museum in downtown Modesto.
According to initial investigations, Moore allegedly walked along westbound I Street, and when he reached 14th Street, he allegedly “laid down in the roadway and covered himself with a blanket.” Soon after, a vehicle also traveling westbound on I Street struck Moore, causing injuries that later proved fatal, before fleeing the scene.
Investigators reportedly found the suspect’s vehicle through the help of city surveillance cameras and brought it to a halt with the assistance of a tire-deflation device. The driver was arrested and charged with hit-and-run resulting in death or injury, a felony offense. Modesto PD also suspects the driver may have been operating under the influence of drugs at the time.
At the time of reporting, the time at which this fatal accident took place has not yet been revealed, nor has the identity of the suspect. Authorities ask that any witnesses who have information regarding the crash come forward. This is an ongoing investigation.
California DUI Law
Section 23153(a) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that it is illegal for any driver to “Operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, cause bodily injury to someone else.”
Modesto Fatal Pedestrian Hit-and-Runs and Wrongful Death Claims
California operates under the legal principle of comparative negligence, which holds that multiple parties can share liability in an accident. Moore’s decision to lie down in the roadway, covered by a blanket, may increase his share of liability in the events leading to his death, which could reduce the value of any settlement his family might receive from a wrongful death claim.
However, that does not mean that a wrongful death claim cannot be pursued or won. If convicted of hit-and-run and DUI, the driver involved may be considered to have committed “negligence per se,” which means that by violating traffic safety laws, a driver is automatically considered to have been negligent in an accident, increasing their share of liability.
While no amount of money can replace the loss of a loved one, the costs involved should be the responsibility of those responsible for their passing. A wrongful death claim could allow Moore’s family to recover damages related to this fatal accident, such as funeral expenses and the loss of financial and emotional support for dependents.
Modesto Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been affected by an accident like the one in which Jacob Moore lost his life, at the intersection of 14th Street and I Street, consider reaching out to a California wrongful death lawyer with any questions and to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation.
