PARLIER, CA — Police in Parlier arrested a driver after a hit-and-run crash sent a pedestrian to the hospital Tuesday morning. Officers responded shortly after 7:30 a.m. to the intersection of Tulare Street and Bigger Street after someone reported an injured person lying on the ground.
When officers arrived, they found a 49-year-old person who had been struck by a car while crossing the street. The pedestrian was taken to a nearby hospital and was reported to be in stable condition.
Police find the vehicle and detain the driver
Parlier police said an officer later located the car involved in the collision. The driver was taken into custody after investigators connected the vehicle to the crash.
Authorities identified the driver as 28-year-old Jozmar Cardenas Espana. He was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, according to police.
That charge reflects the seriousness of leaving the scene after a crash that caused injury. Police did not say how long after the collision the driver was found, but they did confirm the arrest happened the same day.
What police said about the pedestrian’s condition
The person who was hit was described only as 49 years old, and police did not release a name. Officials said the pedestrian was taken to a hospital nearby, where doctors reported the person was stable.
That condition suggests the injuries were serious enough to require emergency medical treatment, but not life-threatening at the time police gave their update. No additional details were released about the extent of the injuries.
Investigators have not said whether the pedestrian remained hospitalized or when that person might be discharged.
Crash happened at a busy early-morning intersection
The collision happened at Tulare Street and Bigger Street, a local intersection in Parlier where police were called after the report of a person on the ground. The timing, just after 7:30 in the morning, put the crash during the day’s early commute period.
Police said the pedestrian was crossing the street when the vehicle hit them. No details were released about traffic control devices, vehicle speed, or whether visibility played any role in the crash.
Authorities have also not said whether any witnesses saw the collision or whether surveillance footage helped identify the car.
Charges, bail and the next steps in the case
Espana’s arrest on a felony hit-and-run charge means the case could move forward through the local court process. Police said his bail was set at $15,000.
That amount gives a measure of the seriousness with which the case is being handled, though police did not announce any additional charges. No court dates or attorney statements were included in the information released by police.
Authorities also said drugs or alcohol do not appear to have been a factor in the crash, narrowing the likely focus of the investigation to the circumstances of the collision itself.
Why the investigation still matters to local drivers and pedestrians
Hit-and-run cases often leave victims waiting for both medical care and answers about what happened. In this case, police were able to identify a vehicle and make an arrest, which can be an important step for a pedestrian injured in a crosswalk or roadway crossing.
Even with the arrest, investigators have not released every detail about how the crash unfolded. The remaining questions include the driver’s path, the moment of impact and whether the pedestrian had any warning before being struck.
For now, the case stands as a reminder of the risks pedestrians face in everyday traffic, especially during the morning hours when commuters and school traffic may already be on the road.
