IDENTIFIED: Washington man killed in Orange Cove crash

ORANGE COVE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The passenger killed in a crash in Orange Cove was identified by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office on Thursday.

The coroner’s office identified the passenger as Ciriaco Santiago Gomez, 36, of Aberdeen, Washington.

CHP responded to a solo vehicle crash on Manning Avenue, west of Hansen Avenue, on Wednesday at approximately 7:45 p.m.

According to CHP, the incident involved a Honda Accord traveling eastbound on Manning Avenue at a high rate of speed. The vehicle made an abrupt turn onto the right shoulder, colliding with multiple trees in an orange orchard before overturning.

CHP says Gomez, who was the right front passenger, was pronounced deceased at the scene and the driver of the vehicle fled the scene on foot immediately after the crash. A CHP helicopter and the Orange Cove Police Department were dispatched to the area to assist with the search of the driver but were unsuccessful in locating him.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding the crash or the whereabouts of the suspect is asked to contact the Fresno Area CHP at 559-262-0400.