Hit-and-run arrest made after pedestrian killed on Highway 99 in Atwater, CHP says

An Atwater man is dead after being by at least two vehicles on Highway 99 near Atwater on Monday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

One of those drivers is facing hit-and-run charges because he did not stop and remain at the scene.

Officers responded just after 2 a.m. when the driver of a 2016 Lexus sedan, identified as Miguel Aguilar, 24, of Lathrop, reported that he thought he had struck an object in the roadway and was dragging it with the vehicle, according to Officer Eric Zuniga.

Officers arrived on scene determined Aguilar had struck an adult male pedestrian, who was under the vehicle. Aguilar was traveling northbound on Highway 99 and the collision is believed to have occurred north of Atwater Boulevard just after 1 a.m., according to the CHP.

Zuniga said the pedestrian, identified by the coroner’s office as Atwater resident Miguel Angel Cabrera Cruz, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cruz was believed to have been lying in the roadway. Officers determined he had been struck by a different vehicle prior to the collision with the Lexus. A front license plate from a vehicle was found near the scene of the collision.

According to Zuniga, it is unknown if Cruz was deceased prior to the initial collision.

“Based on the evidence they went to a residence in Livingston and found a vehicle that had front end damage consistent with hitting a pedestrian,” Zuniga said.

Officers located a 2018 Toyota Camry and made contact with Raul Jaime, 21, of Livingston. Zuniga said Jaime cooperated with authorities and is expected to be charged with felony hit-and-run.

The collisions remain under investigation.

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact the Merced Area CHP Office at 209-356-6600.