A day after a construction worker died in a Valley Center hit-and-run, authorities arrested the suspected driver, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Ruperto Jesus Lopez was booked into the Vista Detention Facility after being taken into custody at 4:30 p.m. Thursday by investigators from the CHP’s Oceanside Area Office. He faces multiple charges, including felony hit and run.
CHP officers had responded to reports of a vehicle versus pedestrian hit-and-run in the 14500 block of Cool Valley Road after the incident, at approximately 6:55 a.m. Wednesday.
A construction flagman, a 37-year-old resident of Fallbrook, was directing traffic on Cool Valley, east of Cole Grade Road when he was struck by a tan Toyota Corolla.
Following the crash, the Corolla fled the scene. Medics took the victim to a local hospital, but he died from his injuries; his identity has yet to be released by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office.
It is not yet known if alcohol or drugs contributed to the collision.