A Richmond man has been arrested in a hit-and-run car accident in Vallejo, California that killed a 72-year-old man, and injured two people.

The car accident occurred on October 20th at about 4:15 pm, when Antonio Fisher ran a red light as he was driving along Tuolumne. He broadsided another vehicle, driven by 72-year-old Pablo Mata. There were two other passengers in Mata’s car – 51-year-old Donna Mata, and 27-year-old John Mata. Later that night, Pablo Mata died in the hospital from force trauma injuries sustained in the car accident. His two passengers were injured, and were rushed to hospital.

As soon as the car accident occurred, Fisher apparently got out of his car with his girlfriend, and they both fled from the scene of the car accident. As he was running, Fisher removed his shirt, and discarded it in a backyard. However, video surveillance tapes at a local convenience store earlier in the day had evidence of his wearing the shirt.

Fisher’s crime would have gone unpunished if he hadn’t been for a parole violation. On Tuesday, he was arrested by Sacramento police for a parole violation charge. As police interviewed him, they became suspicious about his involvement in the Vallejo car accident, because of witness descriptions that they received, as well as surveillance footage. During interviews with the police, he admitted to having being involved in the car accident, although he reportedly refused to identify his passenger. Fisher was identified by a witness in a photo line up. He is now being held for the parole violation, and is being questioned in relation to the car accident.

It’s a difficult time for the Mata family, and we extend our sincere condolences to them. The Vallejo and Sacramento police deserve special mention for their adept handling of the accident, and the manner in which Fisher was caught and arrested. Vallejo police have now requested the Solano County District Attorney’s Office to file vehicular manslaughter charges against Fisher.

The Mata family can now breathe a sigh of relief that the man who was responsible for causing Pablo’s death has been found and arrested. This man not only caused a car accident through his reckless driving, but left his badly injured victims on the streets to suffer while he fled. Fisher appears to have been forward thinking enough to discard his shirt hoping to evade identification, but unfortunately for him, the police were more vigilant than he had bargained for. This man deserves to be held accountable for his actions. The Mata family should consider discussing their next steps with a California car accident lawyer.