Fresno man arrested after hit-and-run crash kills motorcyclist, CHP says

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – An arrest has been made in the vehicular hit-and-run death of a 27-year-old Fresno motorcyclist, the California Highway Patrol said.

Officers were called to Highway 168, near Shields Avenue, just before midnight Thursday for a report of a vehicle vs a motorcycle.

The CHP said 27-year-old Thawon Pho was riding his Kawasaki motorcycle in the middle lane of Highway 168 when 33-year-old Julian Quinonez from Fresno, driving a Hyundai Elantra at a high rate of speed, collided with Pho from behind.  The force of the collision ejected Pho from his bike and sent him onto the car’s windshield.

The Hyundai continued westbound while pushing the empty motorcycle, and it eventually came to rest in the fast lane when it separated from the car. 

Officers said Quinonez kept driving until finally stopping on the right shoulder of Highway 168 at McKinley Avenue.  It was there, they claimed, he fled the scene and abandoned the Hyundai. 

Due to extremely dark conditions and limited street lighting, Pho was struck by passing vehicles and died at the scene.

The CHP said Quinonez was taken into custody and booked into the Fresno County Jail Friday afternoon, thanks in part to information provided by community members.  He is being held on suspicion of felony gross vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run, and violation of parole conditions.  

The agency said in a press release that this incident serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of unsafe driving and the lifelong impact on victims, families, and friends.  It urges motorists to never flee the scene of a crash, always stop, call for help, and remain at the scene.