Photo: Leonardo Villasenor
A fatal hit-and-run occurred on January 9, 2020 near the intersection of West Inyo and D Street in Tulare. On that evening, a 61-year old man was crossing the street when the driver of a blue Nissan Quest minivan struck him and continued driving.
The injured man was transported to Kaweah Delta Hospital where he passed away on Monday, January 13, 2020 due to his injuries.
The Tulare Police Department obtained surveillance footage of the suspect and the van from a nearby gas station and released the suspect’s photo on their Facebook page. Callers quickly identified him as 50-old Leonardo Villasenor.
The evening of January 14, 2020, the Tulare Police Department Traffic Team along with the Investigation Unit delivered a search warrant on the 100 block of South Sacramento where Villasenor was arrested.
The minivan was not recovered however, and Villasenor refuses to give up the whereabouts of the van. Police believe someone is helping him hide it or knows it’s location.
The Tulare Police Department reminds the public anyone assisting Villasenor hide, move, or tamper with the van, is breaking the law and therefor eligible for an “accessory after the fact” charge. The 1996 to 1998 minivan is expected to have front end and windshield damage. Anyone with information of it’s location is urged to contact Tulare PD.
As of the time of this writing, Villasenor is in custody at the Bob Wiley Detention Facility for a hit-and-run involving personal injury and driving when privilege suspended for prior DUI. Bail is set at $100,000.
Photo from Tulare Police Department
