OCEANSIDE, Calif. (CNS) - A 27-year-old man who allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian while fleeing from another crash at an Oceanside intersection was arrested on suspicion of DUI, vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run.
The initial crash was reported shortly after 10:15 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Douglas Drive and Mission Avenue, Oceanside police Sgt. Rick Davis said.
Investigators believe a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado pickup was heading eastbound on Mission Avenue at a high speed when it ran a red light and collided with a Ford F-150 pickup that was heading northbound on Douglas Drive, Davis said.
After the crash, the Chevy driver backed up and started heading eastbound on Mission Avenue, where he struck a pedestrian in the crosswalk and dragged the victim about 150 feet down the street, the sergeant said.
RELATED: Oceanside police: Man shot after opening door to stranger
The pedestrian, identified by coworkers as 65-year-old Minh Tran, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office.
The Chevy driver continued on Mission Avenue before getting out of the pickup at Rancho Del Oro and fleeing on foot, along with a passenger, Davis said.
Officers searched the area with the help of a police helicopter and apprehended the registered owner of the pickup -- Wesley Stuart -- and the passenger outside of Stuart's home, Oceanside police spokesman Tom Bussey said.
Stuart was arrested and the passenger was detained and later released, Davis said.
RELATED: Oceanside High School wrestler puts sportsmanship above winning
Stuart was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, misdemeanor hit-and-run and felony driving under the influence, according to jail records. He's being held in lieu of $100,000 bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Friday afternoon.
10News learned Tran was an employee of Pho Ha Grill and Bar, a Vietnamese restaurant located several yards from where the collision occurred.
The restaurant posted a sign on its front door that stated it would be closed on Wednesday "due to family emergency," but it would reopen on Thursday.
Wednesday loved ones, including Tran's wife and daughter, held a vigil at the site where he lost his life.
