Reckless driving suspect accused of intentionally striking parked vehicle, killing motorist in Tulare County
Above: Samuel Hunter booking photo | Tulare County Sheriff’s Office
A Santa Clara man was recently arrested in Tulare County following a chaotic pursuit and an intentional, fatal collision that claimed the life of an innocent motorist, according to reports.
Shortly before 3 AM on July 31, CHP broadcast a BOLO alert for a white Ford pickup reportedly driving recklessly, including against traffic, in the Porterville area. Deputies and CHP briefly pursued the vehicle until disengaging in the area of Highway 65 and Teapot, but before and after the pursuit had received several reports that the suspect had been running people off the highway and had nearly been involved in several head-on collisions, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Shortly after 3 AM, Tulare County deputies located the vehicle and deduced that the driver was trying to kill himself or someone else using his vehicle. Deputies deployed a spike strip, but the driver continued — nearly striking a deputy in the process — along southbound Highway 65.
A motorist on northbound Highway 65 pulled off the road and stopped. Upon passing the motorist, the driver of the Ford — later identified as 33-year-old Samuel Hunter — allegedly turned his truck around and intentionally collided with the motorist who had pulled over, killing the motorist, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Authorities were at last able to pull Hunter from the truck, with Hunter reportedly being non-compliant and combative the whole time, and had to neutralize him with a taser before having him medically cleared for booking.
Hunter was arrested and booked on suspicion of homicide, attempted homicide on an officer, and several attempted assault charges. He is being held without bail.
