Miguel Rosales Killed, Samantha Valdez Critically Injured in DUI Hit-and-Run Crash
TULARE COUNTY (June 12, 2020) – The man killed after an alleged DUI hit-and-run collision along Highway 99 late last month has been identified.
According to reports by ABC 30 News and Visalia Times Delta, family members said 30-year-old Miguel Rosales died following the accident on May 29.
The incident happened when Rosales was riding as a passenger in a sedan with his wife, Samantha Valdez, as the driver on southbound Highway 99.
California Highway Patrol determined that at the same time, a white 1999 Ford pickup truck was allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed in the same direction.
The speeding truck then rear-ended the sedan. The second car collided with a third vehicle and ultimately became engulfed in flames upon impact.
Good Samaritans rescued Valdez from the burning sedan. An air ambulance took her to Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield with life-threatening injuries.
Suspected DUI Hit-and-Run Driver ID’d as Anthony Ruben Cuevas
Valdez is still in the ICU while CHP affirmed that Rosales was pronounced dead as a result of the fiery crash. The fatal incident took place at about 3:10 p.m., north of Delano.
The 66-year-old Pixley woman operating the third car sustained minor wounds. Meanwhile, officers found the pickup abandoned following the collision.
The truck driver, Anthony Ruben Cuevas, reportedly fled on foot. Authorities believed that he might be under the influence of alcohol when the accident occurred.
Cuevas frequents the Earlimart, Delano, and Tulare areas. He has tattoos on his face and neck, including an “SF” San Francisco 49ers logo on the left side of his neck and “Leticia” on the right side.
The pickup, registered out of Kings City in Monterey County, reportedly got sold last month. The deadly crash remains under investigation.
Anyone with information can contact the Visalia Area CHP Office at 734-6767 or 262-0400.
“Johnson Attorneys Group does not represent any of the parties mentioned above; nor is it our intent to represent any of the parties. If you would like to contribute to this story, please contact us.”
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