COALINGA, CA, (April 10, 2026) – One person was injured Friday evening in a hit-and-run crash involving an alleged intoxicated driver in Coalinga.
According to police, the crash occurred around 5:40 p.m. at Elm Avenue and Seventh Street. An unidentified victim driving a Honda Accord collided with a Chevrolet pickup truck. The impact left the Honda driver trapped inside the vehicle, requiring extrication by emergency responders before being transported to a hospital.
Authorities said the pickup driver, identified as Ernesto Salatiel Avina Rodriguez, fled the scene following the collision. Officers later located Rodriguez, who denied being under the influence. However, a breath test reportedly showed a blood alcohol concentration of .10%, above the legal limit.
Rodriguez was subsequently arrested and charged with felony DUI causing injury and felony hit-and-run. The incident remains under investigation.
