Hit-and-Run Incident Leads to Police Chase, DUI Arrest in Visalia
Photos courtesy of Visalia PD
A hit-and-run incident on Highway 198 escalated into a chase when the victim in the incident reportedly tailed the suspect. The unfolding events led to the arrest of the suspect, who now faces charges including DUI causing injury and firearm-related felonies.
According to a press release by Visalia PD, the incident began shortly before 10 AM when motor officers received a call about a hit-and-run collision on Highway 198. The victim pursued the suspect vehicle while providing crucial information to the responding officers regarding their direction of travel.
The suspect’s vehicle was located in the vicinity of County Center Drive and Caldwell Avenue, where officers conducted a traffic stop. As the officers approached, two individuals exited the vehicle in an apparent attempt to flee. However, officers were able to take both suspects into custody.
A search of the suspects’ vehicle uncovered a loaded 9mm handgun, police said.
The driver, identified as 29-year-old Marco Martinez, was taken into custody and now faces charges of DUI causing injury, resisting arrest, felony hit-and-run, possession of a loaded firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon, and a felony warrant from Lassen County for narcotics sales. Martinez has been booked into the Tulare County Pre-Trial Facility.
The passenger, 28-year-old Homero Alonso, was found to be extremely intoxicated and uncooperative with law enforcement officers. Due to his condition, Alonso was transported to Kaweah Health by ambulance, where he was later cited and released.
