A verbal altercation between a motorist and a pedestrian on First Street in Chester Wednesday led to injuries for a bystander and the arrest of a Chester man on charges that he fled the scene without stopping or notifying law enforcement.
According to details released by the Susanville Office of the California Highway Patrol, at around 9:00p.m., a 25-year-old Chester resident, identified as Adrian Ruelas Jr., was driving his 2015 Infiniti sedan northbound on First Avenue south of Fourth Street.
He encountered a pedestrian making arm gestures.
“A loud verbal argument ensued, and a passenger [unknown] exited the Infiniti and chased the pedestrian east on Fourth Street,” explains CHP Public Information Officer Travis Music.
“Hearing the loud argument, Pat Graham walked from his residence to the middle of the Fourth Street.”
As the pedestrian began fleeing from the passenger, Ruelas began to pursue in the black Infiniti, driving from northbound First Ave to eastbound Fourth Street where he struck Graham.
Ruelas fled the scene along with the still unidentified passenger. Graham was transported to the hospital by a concerned citizen.”
The driver of the Infiniti continued eastbound and failed to stop or notify law enforcement. The car and its driver were later located by CHP personnel at a residential address in Chester.
“Alcohol impairment was determined to be a factor in this collision.”
This collision is under investigation by the CHP Susanville office. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is requested to call the Susanville Communications Center at 1.530. 252.1900.
